Gold-binding protein and use thereof

ABSTRACT

A protein utilizing an anti-gold antibody and a gold-binding side which is a part of the anti-gold antibody is constructed. This protein is capable of specifically binding to gold. This protein or a complex protein containing such a protein can be used for the detection of a target substance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a gold-binding protein, a complexprotein containing the gold-binding protein, and uses thereof fordetecting their target substances.

BACKGROUND ART

Semiconductor industry has been developed markedly by miniaturizingdevices with an improvement in recent semiconductor microprocessingtechnology. The microprocessing technology typified by lithography hasrecently achieved an accuracy of finishing of several hundrednanometers. Materials and devices applied with the above technology canparticipate actively in many scenes and have been expected to be appliedin a wide variety of fields of optical communication, electriccommunication, and so on as well as of biotechnology and energy.However, when consideration is given to processing on the scale of 100nanometers or less as an extension of current microprocessingtechnology, there remain many challenges for industrial use includingthe time and expense involved in processing in addition to technicalchallenges. With a growing number of applicable fields, novel technologyof manufacturing refined structures as an alternative to the above hasbeen strongly demanded.

Under the circumstances, research and development have been activelyconducted on novel materials by means of a bottom-up approach thatproduces desired structures and properties controlled at the atomic ormolecular level, instead of conventional top-down processing technology.An example of bottom-up technology of producing refined structuresincludes the development of a molecular device in which a moleculararrangement is controlled on a metal surface, and the use of methods ofutilizing the self-assembly of substances has been studied as one ofsuch technologies of molecular arrangement control. As a recent exampleof the study, Lindsay et al., (Science, 300: p. 1413, 2003) has examineda molecular switching function by the use of a self-assembled monolayerwhere alkanethiol and alkanedithiol having thiol groups at theirrespective molecular ends are oriented on a gold substrate.

It has been known that biomolecules typified by nucleic acids andproteins are constructed as precise structures under control at theatomic level for exerting their functions. The uses of the properties ofsuch biomolecules have been also under investigation to apply thebiomolecules to a variety of devices in which the biomolecules arearranged on a substrate of metal, metal oxide, or semiconductor.Technology of producing a fine structure where the biomolecule isarranged on a substrate becomes important for a first step of developingsuch devices. For example, when consideration is given to theimmobilization of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) on a gold substrate orthe immobilization of a peptide having an amino acid sequence withvarious functions thereon, it has been widely known that the DNA or thepeptide can be chemically synthesized and the ends of these substancesare chemically modified with thiol groups (—SH) to thereby coordinatethese substances on a gold substrate with the use of S—Au surfaceabsorption. Using this fact, study has been conducted on experimentalsystems and conversion into devices in which DNA or peptide isimmobilized on gold.

On the other hand, proteins that function as enzymes, antibodies, or thelike have high molecular weights. Thus, it is very difficult tochemically synthesize such compounds having high molecular weights toform higher order structures while keeping abilities to exert theirfunctions. Although a variety of studies have been currently conducted,the situation is that functional proteins that combine their higherorder structures with desired functions have not been synthesized yet inmost cases (Science, 302: p. 1364, 2003). When the functional protein isimmobilized on a substrate material, binding with the substrate isgenerally performed by treating the substrate with a variety of surfacetreatment agents typified by a silane coupling agent, and introducinginto the protein a functional group capable of binding to the surface ofthe substrate that was subjected to surface treatment (Proteomics, 3: p.254, 2003). However, it has been pointed out that such introduction of areactive functional group into the functional protein is generallyperformed by chemical modification and an introduction site isnonselectively determined. Therefore, the functional protein isimmobilized in a less functionable shape on the substrate and may bereduced in the resulting activity due to the modification of thefunctional expression site of the functional protein.

It is also possible to introduce a binding site into a protein by agenetic engineering procedure to produce a fusion protein. As anexample, there is known a method in which all sites or thebiotin-binding site of (strept) avidin which is known to bind to a lowmolecular compound, biotine, is introduced into the N- or C-terminal ofa desired protein by genetic engineering and the desired protein is thenexpressed as a fusion protein that is in turn immobilized via biotinarranged on the surface of a desired substrate.

Furthermore, another technique has been recently disclosed. In thiscase, a peptide composed of five or more amino acids capable of bindingto a substrate material for immobilization. The peptide may be fused toa desired protein to produce a fusion protein, thereby binding andimmobilizing the desired protein on the substrate. Belcher et al., hasdisclosed a peptide composed of 12 amino acids capable of specificallyrecognizing a certain crystal surface containing GaAs by the phagedisplay method (Nature, 405: p. 665, 2000), creating the newpossibilities for studying devices with the use of the ability ofbiomaterials to self-assemble. Moreover, Belcher et al., discloses theamino acid sequence of a peptide composed of 7 to 14 amino acids forother semiconductors (PbS, CdS) (WO 03/029431). Brown et al., disclosessome examples of a peptide with a repetitive structure having the unitof an amino acid sequence composed of 14 residues, showing affinity forgold (Nature Biotechnology, 15: p. 269, 1997). Heretofore, a number ofother peptides having affinity for metals (Au, Pt, Pd, Ag), metal oxides(SiO₂, ZnO, Cr₂O₃, Fe₂O₃), or semiconductors have been obtained by theabove-described phage display method.

By immobilizing a desired biomolecule on a substrate via such a peptidehaving affinity for the substrate material, a structure cyclicallyhaving a desired function and shape can be also constructed in aself-assembly manner due to the interaction between biomolecules or witha different substance. For example, Belcher et al., discloses techniquein which M13 phage displaying ZnS-affinity peptide bound with ZnSparticles is coordinated by self-assembly to thereby produce a liquidcrystal-like film (Science, 296: 892, 2002).

In addition, some examples show a desired functional protein to which asubstrate-binding site is fused is produced by genetic engineering asdescribed above to thereby allow the functional protein to beimmobilized at a desired site other than the functional site on thesubstrate. However, when peptide having affinity for a substratematerial is lined to the end of a functional protein directly or via alinker composed of a few amino acids and then bound to a solid phase(e.g., substrate) to achieve the immobilization of the protein, theactive site of the functional protein (e.g., several amino acid residuesconstituting the antigen-binding site of an antibody) is close to thesubstrate and undergoes some interaction (e.g., electrostatic effect)from the surface of the substrate to cause structural changes and thelike, resulting in a fear of incapable of sufficiently exerting adesired function. Even when a linker is designed to be still longer,peptide as the linker, which has a high degree of freedom in the motionof the molecules, may be arranged close to a functional site and itsfunction may be inhibited.

From the above problems, the inventors of the present invention havearrived at the idea that a substrate-binding site on which functionalpolymeric materials including a functional protein linker areimmobilized needs to have a structural portion (scaffold) given as aspacer that keeps a certain distance from a substrate without inhibitingdesired activity of an immobilized protein, and a site that binds to thesubstrate.

As a molecule-recognizing molecule having such a scaffold, the most wellknown is antibody. The antibody is one of the proteins functioning in aself defense mechanism to specifically recognize and bind to a varietyof structures on the surface of a foreign substance invading animal'sbody fluid that is subsequently detoxicated by the immune system. Thediversity of antibodies (the number of antibodies having different aminoacid sequences for binding to a variety of foreign substances) isestimated to be 10⁷ to 10⁸ different varieties per animal. The structureis formed of polypeptide chains having two longer chains and two shorterchains and the longer polypeptide chain (heavy chain) and the shorterpolypeptide chain (light chain) are referred to as a heavy chain and alight chain, respectively.

Those heavy and light chains each have a variable region and a constantregion. The light chain is a polypeptide chain composed of two domainsof one variable region (VL) and one constant region (CL), while theheavy chain is a polypeptide chain composed of four domains of onevariable region (VH) and three constant regions (CH1-CH3). Each of theabove-described domains assumes a cylindrical structure composed ofapproximately 110 amino acids, and forms the layer structure of β sheetsantiparallely arranged, and this layer structure is bound with one SSbond to form a highly stable structure. Moreover, it is known that thebinding of the antibody to a variety of antigen species results from thediversity of amino acid sequences in three complementarity determiningregions (CDF) of each of the above-described variable regions (VH orVL). The CDRs, three for VH and three for VL, are separately arranged byframework regions and recognizes the spatial configuration of functionalgroups in a recognition site of interest to allow highly specificmolecular recognition.

The diversity of the above-described CDR is attributed to DNArearrangement that takes place in the antibody locus when a myeloid stemcell is differentiated into a B lymphocyte as an antibody-producingcell. It is known that a portion composed of VH, D, and JH genefragments in the heavy chain, and a portion composed of Vλ or Vκ and Jλor Jκ gene fragments in the light chain undergo DNA rearrangement tothereby produce antibodies. Such DNA rearrangement independently takesplace in each B cell, one B cell produces only one kind of antibody.However, the whole B cells in an individual can produce diverseantibodies.

Antibody capable of binding to a specific substance as described abovehas been artificially produced heretofore using an antibody-formingmechanism in the immune system of an animal, and utilized in a varietyof industrial fields. An example of production methods is a method inwhich an animal to be immunized (e.g., rabbit, goat, or mouse) isimmunized at constant intervals with an antigenic substance of interestalong with an adjuvant, and antibodies present in its serum arecollected. The antibodies obtained as above are a mixture of severalantibodies recognizing a variety of structures in the surface of theantigenic substance used in the immunization. Serum containing severalantibodies binding to one antigen is referred to as a polyclonalantibody.

On the other hand, a variety of B lymphocytes that produce antibodiesbinding to an antigen of interest are present in the spleen of an animalto be immunized. Such an antibody-forming B lymphocyte is fused to anestablished tumor cell to thereby allow the production of a hybridomacell. As described above, one B lymphocyte produces one kind ofantibody, and a system that can subculture the B lymphocyte producingone kind of antibody as a hybridoma has been established. The antibodyproduced as above is referred to as a monoclonal antibody.

As a molecular recognition structure using the above-described structureof the antibody as an anchorage, JP 05-055534 A discloses a multibindingantibody recognizing two different antigens and a method of forming amultilayer using the same. According to this technique, a fusionantibody recognizing a first antigen and a second antigen can beobtained. In addition, the first antigen, the fusion antigen, and thesecond antigen are successively arranged on the surface of a substrateto thereby allow the formation of a multilayer without chemicalmodification. However, for obtaining the disclosed fusion protein, it isnecessary to use an animal cell, turning into a problem in terms of costefficiency and operational complication. Besides, when the multilayer isformed, a step of arranging an antibody recognizable by the fusionprotein on the surface of the substrate must be provided.

An antibody fragment, Fab, Fab′, or F(ab′)₂, obtained by treating theabove-described antibody with a certain proteolytic enzyme, is known tohave the ability to bind to an antigen similar to that of the parentantibody.

Likewise, for the above-described VH, VL, or Fv as a complex thereof, oreven for a complex composed of the VH or the VL, single chain Fv (scFv)having the carboxy terminal of one region and the amino terminal ofanother region linked via peptide composed of several amino acids, orthe like, is known to have the ability to bind to an antigen similar tothat of the parent antibody.

Skerra and Better disclose a method in which Fab-type and Fv-typeantibody fragments, the N terminals of which are added with a secretionsignal sequence by a genetic engineering method, are produced as theexpression of antibody genes by E. coli (Science, 240: P. 1038, 1988;Science, 240: p. 1041, 1988). Alternatively, JP 07-501451 A discloses amultivalent antigen-binding antibody and a method of producing the same,and JP 08-504100 A discloses a multivalent and multibinding antibody anda method of producing the same. Those two techniques disclose that abinding protein is a protein containing an antibody variable regionportion (VH and/or VL) binding to one or more antigens. JP 07-501451discloses the structures and amino acid sequences of binding proteinseach recognizing pancarcinoma antigen TAG-72 and fluorescein and abispecific antibody recognizing both, as well as base sequences encodingthem. JP 08-504100 A discloses, in Examples, a divalent and bispecificbinding protein composed of an antibody fragment complex for knownproteins (cell membrane protein, cancer antigen CEA, FcRγ1, etc.,) orlow molecular compounds.

However, in the above-described disclosures, no technique concerning abinding protein that directly recognizes and binds to the surface of asubstrate material typified by an inorganic substance is disclosed.Therefore, when a structure in which the binding protein is arranged onthe substrate is produced, the arrangement must be performed by aconventionally known method, for example, a method involving chemicallymodifying the substrate or the above-described binding protein toarrange the binding protein on the substrate through a covalent bond.Similarly, when the binding protein is bound to a fine particle of ametal or a semiconductor substance, it is also necessary to chemicallymodify the particle to be bound or binding protein. Such chemicalmodification often targets amino residues or carboxyl groups containedin large numbers in the molecule of a protein, and a site involved inthe reaction is nonselective. Therefore, a site exerting desiredactivity may be a substrate-binding or labeling site and, as a result,the desired activity of the protein may be reduced. Moreover, such aproblem is likely to arise in not only the technique of conversion intomicrodevices but the production of sensing elements such as biosensors.Thus, it is important to immobilize a molecule capturing a targetsubstance such as an antibody on a substrate while molecular orientationthat sufficiently exerts its capturing function is maintained.

Studies are being conducted, in which a protein having a scaffoldsimilar to that of the above-described antibody is added with theability to recognize diverse molecules. Examples thereof includeanticolin (Review in Molecular Biotechnology, 74: p. 257, 2001) and afibronectin type III domain (J. Mol. Biol, 284: p. 1141, 1998).Anticolin is a capture protein altered on the basis of lipocalin.Lipocalin is a protein composed of 160 to 180 amino residues, whichfunctions in transporting and storing substances with a low degree ofsolubility in water.

Regarding constitution, lipocalin is a barrel structure composed of 8 βsheets. Lipocalin can recognize and bind to a substance of interestthrough 4 loop structures connecting the 8 β sheets. Fibronectin isgenerally a protein composed of amino acids not more than 100 residues,which plays a key role in the junction of cells with extracellularmatrix or cell junction. Like the two proteins described above,fibronectin is a protein that has β sheet structures and recognizes atarget substance through loop structures among the β sheets. A novelbinding protein has been constructed by introducing random amino acidsequences into the loop structures among the β sheets of anticolin orfibronectin described above. Because those molecules have a strongmolecular structure composed of β sheets in addition to a molecularrecognition site, the molecules specifically recognize and bind to asubstrate by the fusion to a desired functional polymeric material tothereby allow the polymeric material to be immobilized on the substrate.Moreover, the molecules are also expected to have a spacer function thatkeeps a certain distance from the substrate without inhibiting thedesired activity of the immobilized polymeric material. However, therehas been no reported case that molecule-recognizing proteins withconstitutively stable scaffolds typified by the above-described antibodyspecifically recognize and bind to inorganic substances typified bymetals or semiconductor materials.

On the other hand, in the field of detection of a variety of substances(target substances), several methods of the detection and/orquantification and the like of the target substances have beenestablished so far, particularly for proteins such as antigens andantibodies, and sugar, lectin, and nucleic acids. For example, it isknown that a labeling agent is bound to an antibody specificallyrecognizing and binding to a sugar or a lectin as target substances tothereby allow the detection or quantification of the target substancevia the labeling agent. In general, a fine particle composed of a metalsuch as gold or an organic material such as latex, a fluorescentsubstance emitting fluorescence by excitation light in a certainwavelength region, or an enzyme having the fluorescent substance as areaction product (e.g., HRP) is used as a labeling agent. Methods oflabeling proteins such as antibodies include a method by physicalabsorption and a chemical bond method in which a reactive functionalgroup is introduced into a labeling agent or a substance to be labeledand is used as a crosslinking point to form a chemical bond.

Hereinafter, prior arts will be described by taking antibodies used indetection as an example. JP 03-108115 B discloses an example of a methodof labeling an antibody with gold by physically absorbing a gold fineparticle onto the antibody. According to this method, a monoclonalantibody is added to a dispersion of gold colloid that has beenpreviously adjusted, and the whole is subjected to centrifugalsedimentation to remove a supernatant liquid, and the resulting solutionundergoes washing processes several times to allow the production of anantibody labeled with gold.

Next, a method of labeling antibodies by a chemical bond method will bedescribed. Antibodies have the amino groups or SH groups of proteins. Afunctional group reactive with those groups is previously provided in alabeling agent to thereby allow the chemical bond between a labelingagent such as a fluorescent substance and a substance to be labeled suchas an antibody. An example of the method includes a method involvingintroducing a labeling agent having an N-hydroxysuccinimide group, anisothiocyanate group, a nitroaryl halide group, or an acid chloridegroup, which reacts with an amino group. N-hydroxysuccinimide that iswidely used as a crosslinking agent for labeling proteins is known toefficiently react with an amino group under a pH atmosphere of 7 or moreand form a highly stable amide bond (Biochemistry, Vol. 11, pp. 2291,1972). The amino groups of the α position and of the ε position oflysine side chain on a protein can be targeted by a succinimide group inreaction. In particular, an amino group at the ε position is consideredto be the general target of succinimide. For example, when a gold fineparticle as a labeling agent is chemically bound to a protein such as anantibody, the gold fine particle is first modified with a compoundhaving at least a SH group at one end and a functional group highlyreactive with the above-described side chain residue of a protein atanother end. Next, the protein can be crosslinked with the reactivefunctional group to bind them. However, because a residue having lysineor a free α-amino group nonselectively becomes a subject of interest inreaction in those methods, a protein to be labeled such as an antibodymay be inhibited in its function. Although FITC is also known as afluorescent substance having an isothiocyanate group, like succinimide,the desired property of a protein to be labeled may be reduced due tononspecific reaction to an amino group.

Alternatively, a —SH group can be given as a crosslinking point. Methodswith the use of a SH group can be broadly divided into a maleimidemethod and a pyridyl disulfide method. The maleimide method is a methodwith the use of a crosslinking agent having maleimide as a groupselectively reactive with a SH group, which is known to allow selectivecrosslinkage under a mild condition. For example, when a subject to bebound is an antibody, a SH group that cleaved disulfide in the hingeportion of the antibody molecule is unrelated to the antigen-recognizingportion, so that the specificity of the antibody is expected not to beimpaired even though the SH group is modified. This SH group is used asa crosslinking point to thereby allow the binding of a labeling agentwithout impairing a desired function. However, an antibody has 16 SSbonds within the whole molecule, including SS bonds for retaining thestructures of a heavy chain variable region (VH) and a light chainvariable region (VL) having a complementarity determining region (CDR)as the antigen-recognizing portion. Thus its function may be impaired ifthe reduction of the SS bond is not site-specifically performed.

JP 04-070320 B discloses a protein-labeling technique with the use ofmetallothionein or a fragment thereof, which is a low-molecular-weightprotein capable of chelation with high affinity for a wide variety ofmetal ions. In this application, a technique is disclosed, in whichmetallothionein binds at the sulfhydryl moiety to a metal ion as alabeling agent and is bound to an antibody or the like at the otherfunctional group given as a crosslinking point such as an amine group, ahydroxyl group, or a carboxyl group. Although sites binding to a metalion and to a substance to be labeled are distinguished inmetallothionein and can be bound with the respective substances to bebound, the binding site of the substance to be labeled is uncertain asin other crosslinking methods and problems as described above is likelyto still remain.

Furthermore, means of resolving nonselective modification due to theimmobilization method on a labeling agent through chemical crosslinkingas described above includes a modification method by geneticengineering. It is also possible to produce a fusion protein in which abinding site is introduced into a protein by a genetic engineeringapproach. Known as an example is a method in which a low molecularcompound biotin is chemically introduced into the end of a labelingagent such as a fluorescent substance, and the whole (strept) avidinknown to bind to the above-described biotin or a biotin-binding site isintroduced into the N terminal or C terminal of a desired protein bygenetic engineering, which is in turn expressed as a fusion protein andbound to the labeling agent via the biotin-avidin bond. Thus, a lowmolecular compound is introduced into a labeling agent such as afluorescent substance and a fusion protein in which a protein capablerecognizing and binding to the low molecular compound is introduced intoa desired protein is produced by genetic engineering to allow theintroduction of a selective binding site.

However, the disclosed technique described above does not disclose anytechnique concerning a binding protein molecule-selectively recognizingand binding to the surface of a substrate material typified by aninorganic substance or a labeling agent. Therefore, when a structure inwhich the binding protein or a complex protein is arranged on asubstrate is produced, the arrangement must be performed by aconventionally known method, for example, a method involving chemicallymodifying the substrate or the above-described binding protein toarrange the binding protein on the substrate through a covalent bond.Similarly, when the binding protein is bound to a fine particle of ametal or a semiconductor substance, and a labeling agent, it is alsonecessary to chemically modify the fine particle to be bound or thebinding protein. Such chemical modification often targets amino residuesor carboxyl groups contained in large numbers in the molecule of aprotein, and a site involved in the reaction is nonselective. Therefore,a site exerting desired activity may be a substrate-binding or labelingsite and, as a result, the desired activity of the protein may bereduced.

Moreover, such a problem is likely to arise in not only the technique ofconversion into microdevices but the production of sensing elements suchas biosensors. Thus, it is important to immobilize a molecule capturinga target substance such as an antibody on a substrate while molecularorientation that sufficiently exerts its capturing function ismaintained.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A protein capable of binding to gold according to the present inventionis a protein having affinity for gold, and is characterized by includinga gold-binding site containing at least a portion of an antibody togold.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided agold-binding complex protein, including:

(1) a first domain containing a protein having affinity for gold; and

(2) a second domain containing a protein having a binding site to acertain substance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda structure, including a substrate and a protein, in which the substratecontains gold in at least a portion of its surface and the protein is agold-binding complex protein having the above configuration.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda nucleic acid encoding a gold-binding complex protein having the aboveconfiguration. According to another aspect of the present invention,there is provided a vector including the nucleic acid.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of producing a structure having the above configuration,including the step of:

(1) preparing the substrate;

(2) producing the gold-binding complex protein; and

(3) arranging the gold-binding complex protein on the substrate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda kit for detecting a target substance, including a substrate and agold-binding complex protein for forming a structure having the aboveconfiguration, and detection means for detecting the binding of thetarget substance to the structure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda connecting member for labeling a target substance with a labelingagent, including:

one or more sites binding to the target substance and one or more sitesbinding to the labeling agent, in which:

the site binding to the target substance and the site binding to thelabeling agent each independently bind to a substance to be bound; and

at least one of the site binding to the labeling agent and the sitebinding the target substance contains a protein having the aboveconfiguration.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of detecting a target substance, in which the target substanceis bound and labeled with a labeling agent to detect the targetsubstance bound with the labeling agent, including the step of:

binding the labeling agent to the target substance via a connectingmember having the above configuration.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda kit for detecting a target substance, including: a labeling agent; aconnecting member having the above configuration; and detection meansfor detecting a state in which the labeling agent is bound to the targetsubstance via the connecting member.

The gold-binding complex protein according to the present inventionincludes a gold-binding site and a structure portion. Therefore, when afunctional substance linking and binding to the gold-binding protein isimmobilized on the surface of a gold substrate, the immobilization doesnot affect the original function of the functional substance. Moreover,because no reagent is used in the immobilization, the functionalsubstance does not suffer from any chemical reaction that affects itsfunction. Furthermore, by keeping a distance from the gold substrate,the functional substance does not undergo interaction from the substratethat affects its function.

In addition, the gold-binding complex protein of the present inventionincludes several binding sites to at least gold and a certain substance.This allows a structure forming a layered body composed of at least (i)a substrate having gold in at least a portion of its surface, (ii) thegold-binding complex protein of the present invention, and (iii) acertain substance capable of binding to the gold-binding complex proteinof the present invention. In this case, because the gold-binding complexprotein of the present invention has a sterically stable β sheetstructure of an antibody variable region domain, space can be keptbetween the gold substrate and the certain substance, and the domain(e.g., the second domain) of the gold-binding protein, which is boundedwith gold or a substance other than gold (e.g., a labeling agent) doesnot undergo some interaction from the substrate containing gold and canretain the binding ability. Moreover, this allows the formation of avery thin and fine layered structure. Using those properties of thegold-binding protein of the present invention, a detection device can beobtained. For example, the gold-binding complex protein of the presentinvention capable of binding to a desired substance is provided in athin gold layer, a sensing element for the desired substance can bemade. A detection method thereof can provide optical means, for example,means with the use of surface plasmon resonance.

On the other hand, when a substance containing gold is given as alabeling agent, the gold-binding protein of the present invention can beused as a connecting member for binding the labeling agent containinggold to a target substance. According to this form as the connectingmember, representative effects described below can be obtained.

As a first effect, the gold-binding protein has one or more of each ofsites binding to a target substance and a labeling agent and each of thebinding sites binds to a substance to be bound independently from eachother to thereby provide an excellent connecting member capable oflabeling the target substance and not showing the reduction in theability of a substance to be labeled to bind to the target substance,which is perceived as a problem caused by the binding of the labelingagent in conventional labeling method. As a second effect, theconnecting member is a biopolymer, more particularly, a protein, and isthereby expected to have high affinity resulting from the interaction ofthe surface of the target substance with several amino residues of theprotein. As a third effect, the connecting member is an antibodyvariable region and is expected to have binding specificity because thebinding site is defined in the configuration determined by the higherorder structure. As a fourth effect, the labeling agent is a substancecontaining gold to thereby allow not only the measurement of thequantity of scattered light for a sample, but electric measurement withthe use of its electric properties, in addition to optical measurementto which the principles of enhanced Raman or localized plasmon areapplied. As a fifth effect, using the connecting member according to thepresent invention, a detection method and a detection kit addedsimultaneously or optionally with the target substance/connectingmember/labeling agent can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the constitution of astructure in an example of a complex protein according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are, respectively, a diagram schematically showing theconstitution of a structure in an example of a complex protein accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the constitution of astructure in an example of a complex protein according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are, respectively, a diagram schematically showing theconstitution of a structure in an example of a complex protein accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the constitution of astructure in an example of a complex protein according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the constitution of astructure in an example of a complex protein according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the constitution of astructure in an example of a complex protein according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the constitution of astructure in an example of a complex protein according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the SPR evaluation of VLobtained by the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the SPR evaluation of VHobtained by the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a vector for illustrating Examples ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams of a vector for illustratingExamples of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a vector for illustrating Examples ofthe present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a vector for illustrating Examples ofthe present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a vector for illustrating Examples ofthe present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a vector for illustrating Examples ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the SPR evaluation of scFvobtained by the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a SPR chart in Example 21.

FIG. 19 is a GPC chart in Example 31.

FIG. 20 is a SPR chart in Example 32.

FIG. 21 is a SPR chart in Example 34.

FIG. 22 is a SPR chart in Example 36.

FIG. 23 is a GPC chart in Example 37.

FIG. 24 is a SPR chart in Example 38.

FIG. 25 is a GPC chart in Example 40.

FIG. 26 is an absorption curve of a solution containing a gold fineparticle in Example 42.

FIG. 27 is a SPR chart in Comparative Example 3.

FIG. 28 is a SPR chart in comparative Example 4.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a gold-binding protein according to the present invention,a complex protein by the use of the same, and uses thereof will bedescribed.

(1) Gold-Binding Protein Antibody

The gold-binding protein of the present invention includes at least aportion of an antibody. Examples of an antibody used for the bindingwith gold as shown in the present invention includes antibodies havingan affinity for gold that are produced by lymphoid cells in allvertebrates, and a protein having an amino acid sequence with thedeletion, substitution, or addition of one or several amino acids in theamino acid sequence of the antibodies and having relationship with theantibodies in the structure and the function, that is, maintaining adesired affinity for gold. Although antibodies are categorized accordingto the classification of their properties (immunological or physical)into IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE, any of antibodies in theclassification may be used in the present invention. Moreover, thoseantibodies may form a multimer. For example, IgA forms a dimer and IgMforms a pentamer, presenting no problem as long as they are in a shapecapable of binding to gold. Procurement of gold-binding antibody.Moreover, antibodies may be IgW and IgY as long as they are for in vitrouse.

As a method of obtaining the gold-binding antibody of the presentinvention, a technique of preparing anti-serum and a technique ofproducing a monoclonal antibody by cell fusion, which have beenconventionally performed, can be appropriately selected and performed.For example, an appropriate animal for immunization is immunized with agold fine particle to be bound in the present invention, and an antibodyis collected from serum after the confirmation of increase in theantibody titer. The above-described immunization is generally performedby a method in which a gold fine particle as an antigen is diluted to anappropriate concentration with an appropriate solvent, for example, aphysiological saline solution, and this solution is intravenously orintraperitoneally administered together with, if necessary, the Freundcomplete adjuvant, to an animal 3 to 4 times at intervals of 1 to 2weeks. The animal thus immunized is anatomized at the 3 day post-finalimmunization and a splenocyte obtained from the excised spleen is usedas an immunocyte. An immunizing gold fine particle has a size ofpreferably 10 nm or smaller, more preferably 2 nm or smaller. Inaddition, it is more preferred that the gold fine particle be covalentlyattached to a protein such as serum albumin and be rendered hapten.Heretofore, it has been expected that an antigen hard to produce immunereaction is also recognized as a portion of a certain protein antigenand its production is induced by the formation of a complex between theantigen and the protein antigen.

The obtained antibody may be polyclonal and is, however, given as amonoclonal antibody to thereby allow the selection of a clone havinghigh specificity for gold. The monoclonal antibody can be obtained bycloning a cell producing it. In general, an immunoglobulin-forming cellsuch as the splenocyte collected from an immunized animal is fused to atumor cell to thereby allow the formation of a hybridoma (Gulfre G.,Nature 266. 550-552, 1977). For example, tumor cells include myelomacells such as a mouse-derived myeloma P3/X63-AG8. 653 (ATCC No.CRL-1580), P3/NSI/1-Ag4-1 (NS-1), P3/X63-Ag8. U1 (P3U1), SP2/O-Ag14(Sp2/O, Sp2), NS0, PAI, F0, or BW5147, a rat-derived myeloma 210RCY3-Ag.2. 3., and a human-derived myeloma U-266AR1, GM1500-6TG-A1-2, UC729-6,CEM-AGR, DIR11, or CEM-T15.

In the screening of a cell producing the monoclonal antibody, the cellis cultured in a titer plate and the reactivity of a culture supernatantin a well where proliferation is observed to the above-described goldfine particle can be measured by, for example, enzyme immunoassay suchas radio immunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immuno-solvent assay(ELISA), or immunoprecipitation. Alternatively, affinity for gold can bealso quantitatively measured with a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)device.

Antibody Fragment

An antibody fragment described in the present invention refers to theregion of a portion of a monoclonal antibody, and specific examplesthereof include F(ab′)2, Fab′, Fab, Fd, a variable fragment of antibody(Fv), single chain Fv (scFv), disulphide stabilized Fv (dsFv), and asingle domain antibody (dAv) composed of a heavy chain variable region(VH) or a light chain variable region (VL).

“F(ab′)2” and “Fab′” as used herein can be obtained by treating anantibody with, for example, pepsin or papain as a proteolytic enzyme.They refer to antibody fragments produced by digestion in the vicinityof a disulfide bond present between two heavy chains (H chains) in ahinge region of an antibody. For example, when IgG is treated withpapain, the IgG is cleaved upstream of a disulfide bond present betweentwo H chains in the hinge region to give two homologous fragments inwhich a light chain (L chain) composed of a light chain variable region(VL) and a light chain constant region (CL) and a heavy chain (H chain)composed of a heavy chain variable region (VH) and a heavy chainconstant region 1 (CH1) are bound through a disulfide bond at theC-terminal region. Each of those two homologous antibody fragments isreferred to as Fab′. Alternatively, when IgG is treated with pepsin, theIgG is cleaved downstream of a disulfide bond present between two Hchains in the hinge region to allow the production of an antibodyfragment slightly larger than the above-described two Fab′ linked in thehinge region. This antibody fragment is referred to as F(ab′)2.

The gold-binding protein of the present invention may be Fab′ or F(ab′)2described above. The gold-binding protein may also be an Fd fragment inwhich VH and the above-described CH1 are bound.

Moreover, the gold-binding protein may be a variable fragment ofantibody (Fv) or a portion thereof, for example, a heavy chain variableregion (VH) or a light chain variable region (VL) constituting Fv or aportion thereof. On the other hand, for a complex composed of theabove-described VH or VL, a single chain Fv (scFv) having the carboxyterminal of one region and the amino terminal of another region linkedvia peptide composed of several amino acids can be used. It is preferredthat VH/VL (not in particular order) formed of the above-described scFvbe provided with a linker composed of one or more amino acids. It isimportant that the residue length of the amino acid linker be designednot to have such a binding force that inhibits the formation of astructure necessary for the binding of the antigen with VH or VL. As aspecific example, the amino acid linker generally has 5 to 18 resides inlength, with 15 residues more widely used and studied. Those fragmentscan be obtained by a genetic engineering approach.

Moreover, although either of VH and VL may be single domain dAb, thesingle domain structure is often unstable in general and may betherefore stabilized by chemical modification such as PEG modification.Moreover, variable region, VHH of camelid heavy chains (J. Mol. Biol,311: p 123, 2001) and variable region of immunoglobulin-like moleculesof Nurse Shark, IgNAR that exist and can function as heavy chain onlyantibodies in vivo can be used. Moreover, interface of VH/VL or alikemay be introduced by drawing upon equivalents of heavy chain onlyantibodies to increase stability when VH or VL of antibdies that arecomposed of heavy chain and light chain represented by those of humansand mice are used as domain units as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

A gold-binding site can include at least one selected from (1) antibodyheavy chain variable region (VH), a variant, and a portion thereof, and(2) antibody light chain variable region (VL), a variant, and a portionthereof. Preferable examples of the antibody heavy chain variable region(VH) include a protein including at least one of amino acid sequences ofSEQ ID NOs.: 1 to 48, and preferable examples of the antibody lightchain variable region (VL) include a protein including at least one ofamino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs.: 49 to 57. A protein having affinityfor gold and containing one or more amino acid sequences with thedeletion, substitution, or addition of one or several amino acids ineach of these amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs.: 1 to 57 can besimilarly utilized.

Procurement of Antibody Fragment Having Affinity for Gold Procurement byEnzyme Treatment

The above-described antibody is treated with some enzyme to allow theprocurement of an antibody fragment having the antigen-binding site andthe antigen-binding ability of the antibody to some extent. For example,a Fab fragment or an analogue thereof can be obtained by treating theobtained antibody with papain. A F (ab′)₂ fragment or an analoguethereof can be obtained by treating the obtained antibody with pepsin.The above-described antibody fragment is also produced by a chemicaldegradation method in addition to the above-described enzymaticapproach. This antibody fragment can be used without a problem as longas it has the ability to bind to gold.

A method of obtaining the above-described Fab′, Fv, or dAb of VH or VLaccording to the present invention may also be procurement by the use ofa genetic engineering approach. An example thereof is a method in whicha gene library of the VH or VL is produced and comprehensively expressedas a protein to select a corresponding gene based on affinity for goldor a target substance. The gene library can be obtained from, forexample, cord blood, tonsil, bone marrow, or peripheral blood cells orsplenocytes. For example, mRNA is extracted from a human peripheralblood cell and cDNA is synthesized. Next, a sequence encoding human VHor VL is used as a probe to produce a cDNA library of the human VH orVL. For example, primers capable of extensively amplifying human VHfamily (VH1 to 7) per family and primers capable of amplifying human VLare known in the art. RT-PCR is performed by combining a primer witheach of such VH or VL to give a gene encoding the VH or VL.Alternatively, it is also possible to use a phage display method. In thephage display method, a gene library encoding VH, VL, or a complexcontaining them (e.g., Fab, scFv) is bound to a gene encoding a coatprotein of the phage to produce a phagemid library that is in turntransformed into E. coli and expressed as phages having a variety of VHsor VLs as a portion of the coat protein. Those phages are used to allowselection based on affinity for gold or a target substance, as describedabove. A gene encoding VH or VL that is displayed as a fusion protein bythe phage is encoded by the phagemid in the phage and can be thereforeidentified by DNA sequencing.

The present invention also includes a nucleic acid encoding theabove-described gold-binding protein. The present invention furtherincludes a constituent composed of a nucleic acid that is given as agene vector to be expressed as a protein for transforming a host cell(e.g., a conventionally known protein-expressing cell derived from E.coli., yeasts, mice, or humans) to allow the expression of theabove-described gold-binding protein. The gold-binding protein of thepresent invention that can be expressed by one expression vector can beselected and designed from the whole molecules of an antibody or anantibody fragment thereof F(ab′)2, Fab, Fv(scFV), VH, or VL, or acomplex thereof. When a plurality of the above-described antibodyfragments are encoded by one expression vector, each of the antibodyfragments can be independently expressed as an individual polypeptidechain. It is also possible to construct a vector that expresses theantibody fragments as one polypeptide chain in which the domains arelinked successively or via an amino acid.

In the constitution of the vector for expressing the gold-bindingprotein of the present invention, the vector can be designed andconstructed by integration into constitution or the like necessary forexpressing a transgene, such as a known promoter, depending on aselected host cell. The vector can be constructed with reference to theconstitution of a known promoter or the like depending on a selectedhost cell. When E. coli or the like is used as a host cell, thegold-binding protein of the present invention or a constituent thereofas a foreign gene product is immediately removed into the outside of thecytoplasm to thereby allow reduction in degradation by protease.Moreover, it is known that, even if this foreign gene product is toxicfor a bacterium, its effect can be reduced by secreting the foreign geneproduct to the outside of the bacterium. Most proteins secreted througha known cytoplasmic membrane or inner membrane usually have signalpeptides at the N terminals of their precursors, which are cleaved bysignal peptidase in the secretion process to turn the precursors intomature proteins. Most signal peptides have basic amino acids,hydrophobic amino acids, and cleavage sites by signal peptidase, whichare located at their N terminals.

The gold-binding protein of the present invention can be secreted andexpressed by locating a nucleic acid encoding a conventionally knownsignal peptide typified by pelB on the 5′ side of a nucleic acidencoding the gold-binding protein.

Several gold-binding proteins of the present invention or severalpolypeptide chains each composed of plural antibody fragments can bealso inserted each independently into one vector. In this case, anucleic acid encoding pelB can be located on the 5′ side of each domainor a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide chain to facilitatesecretion. Alternatively, when the gold-binding protein is expressed asa polypeptide chain composed of one or more domains, a nucleic acidencoding pelB can be located on the 5′ side of the polypeptide chain tothereby facilitate secretion, as described above. The gold-bindingprotein of the present invention in which a signal peptide is fused atits N terminal as described above can be purified from a periplasmfraction and a medium supernatant.

In consideration of convenience in procedures of purifying the expressedprotein, it is possible to arrange, by genetic engineering, a tag forpurification at the N or C terminal of a polypeptide chain formed of anantibody molecule, or each independent antibody fragment or severalantibody fragments successively linked. Examples of the above-describedtag for purification include a histidine tag composed of six consecutivehistidine residues (hereinafter, His×6) and the glutathione-binding siteof glutathione-S-transferase. Examples of a method of introducing thetag include: a method in which a nucleic acid encoding the tag forpurification is inserted at the 5′ or 3′ end of a nucleic acid encodingthe gold-binding protein in the above-described expression vector; andthe use of a commercially available vector for introducing the tag forpurification.

A method of producing the gold-binding protein of the present inventionby the use of the above-described expression vector will be describedhereinafter. A conventionally known host protein-expressing cell istransformed with a vector for expressing the gold-binding protein, whichis designed in accordance with the host cell, to synthesize thegold-binding protein of the present invention or the polypeptide chainas a component thereof into the host cell by the use of a proteinsynthesis system in the host cell. Thereafter, a desired proteinaccumulated or secreted outside or inside the host cell can be purifiedand thereby obtained from the inside of the cell or a cell culturesupernatant. For example, when E. coli is used as a host cell, the E.coli can be constructed to facilitate secretion and expression to theoutside of the cytoplasm by locating a nucleic acid encoding aconventionally known signal peptide typified by pelB on the 5′ side of anucleic acid encoding the gold-binding protein of the present invention.

When several polypeptide chains constituting the gold-binding protein ofthe present invention are expressed in one expression vector of thepresent invention, a nucleic acid encoding pelB can be located on the 5′side of a nucleic acid encoding each of the polypeptide chains tofacilitate secretion to the outside of the cytoplasm at its expression.The gold-binding protein of the present invention in which a signalpeptide is fused at its N terminal as described above can be purifiedfrom a periplasm fraction and a medium supernatant. In a purificationmethod, a nickel chelate column can be used for purification when thetag for purification is a His-tag, and an immobilized glutathione columncan be used for purification when the tag for purification is GST.

The gold-binding protein of the present invention that is expressed in abacterium can be also obtained with insoluble granules. In this case,the insoluble granules can be centrifuged from a cell homogenizedsolution in which the bacterium obtained from culture solution ishomogenized with a French press or ultrasound. The obtained insolublegranule fraction can be solubilized with a buffer solution containing aconventionally known denaturant having urea and guanidine hydrochloride,followed by purification with a column as described above under adenaturation condition. For the obtained column elution fraction, theremoval of the denaturant and the reconstruction of an active structurecan be performed by a refolding procedure. As the refolding procedure,any of conventionally known methods can be appropriately used. Moreparticularly, a stepwise dialysis method or dilution method can be useddepending on a desired protein.

Each of the domains or each of the polypeptide chains of thegold-binding protein of the present invention can be expressed in anidentical cell or can be complexed coexistently with one another afterbeing expressed using another host cell.

In addition, using a vector encoding the gold-binding protein of thepresent invention, the protein can be also expressed in vitro with acell extract solution. Examples of the cell extract solution preferablyused include E. coli, a wheat germ, and a rabbit reticulocyte. However,the synthesis of a protein with the cell extract solution is generallyperformed under a reduction condition. Therefore, it is more preferredthat some treatment be performed for forming a disulfide bond in anantibody fragment.

The preferred dissociation constant (K_(D)) of the gold-binding proteinof the present invention is 10⁻⁶ M or less under a buffer condition inthe presence of 0.1% Tween 20, more preferably 10⁻⁸ M or less. Theinventors of the present invention have confirmed by study that aprotein material cannot attach to gold on the above-described conditioneven for the protein material such as BSA having relatively largenonspecific attachment to gold. If the K_(D) value is 10⁻⁶ or less, theattachment behavior of a nonspecifically adhesive protein as describedabove can be sufficiently distinguished. In addition, when the K_(D)value is 10⁻⁸ or less, the gold-binding protein can sufficientlyfunction as an anchor molecule for immobilization.

Expression of Antibody Fragment Protein

The gold-binding protein is cleaved with a desired restriction enzyme,for example, NcoI/NheI in the above-described case, to give DNA encodinga gold-binding antibody fragment. This can be introduced into aconventionally known plasmid for expressing a protein in accordance witha host cell to thereby give an antibody fragment. For example, when E.coli is used as a host cell and a desired antibody fragment is collectedfrom an extracellular expression or periplasm fraction, a conventionallyknown signal peptide can be introduced upstream of a gene encoding theabove-described antibody fragment. The signal peptide includes pelB. Foreasily purifying a desired protein from a culture supernatant or abacterial fraction after expression, a conventionally known tag forpurification may be fused. More particularly, six histidine residues(His×6) or the glutathione-binding site of glutathione-S-transferase canbe introduced to give a fusion protein. In the case of the His-tag, thisfusion protein can be easily purified with a metal chelate column suchas nickel. In the case of the GST tag, purification can be performedwith a column having a carrier such as Sepharose on which glutathione isimmobilized.

Alternatively, when a desired protein expressed in a bacterium cannot beobtained with insoluble granules, the insoluble granules can besolubilized with a conventionally known buffer solution containing ureaand guanidine hydrochloride, followed by refolding. Any ofconventionally known methods can be appropriately used as the refoldingprocedure. More particularly, a stepwise dialysis method or dilutionmethod can be used depending on a desired protein.

An antibody obtained as above and a fragment thereof, for example, Fab,(Fab′)2, Fc, VH or VL, or a complex thereof even having the deletion,substitution, or addition of one or several amino acids in their aminoacid sequences do not depart from the scope of the present invention aslong as they have affinity for gold.

The preferred dissociation constant (K_(D)) of the gold-binding proteinof the present invention is 10⁻⁶ M or less under a buffer condition inthe presence of 0.1% Tween 20, more preferably 10⁻⁸ M or less. Theinventors of the present invention have confirmed by study that aprotein material cannot attach to gold under the above-describedcondition even for the protein material such as BSA having relativelylarge nonspecific attachment to gold.

If the K_(D) value is 10⁻⁶ or less, the attachment behavior of anonspecifically adhesive protein can be sufficiently distinguished. Inaddition, when the K_(D) value is 10⁻⁸ or less, the gold-binding proteincan sufficiently function as an anchor molecule for immobilization.

Substance to be Bound Having Gold

A substance to be bound having gold can be selected and used fromvarious substances having gold in at least a portion of their surfaces.When the gold-binding protein is selected by immunization, panning, orthe like, the surface of the substance to be bound is composed of onlygold for eliminating the contamination of proteins attaching tosubstances other than gold. Materials for the inner core substrate otherthan the surface can be selected and used from, as a matter of course,gold, and a variety of the other known materials. Moreover, thesubstance to be bound is preferably given in a particulate form, morepreferably as a fine particle having 1 to 100 μmφ, to thereby allowincrease in the specific surface area involved in the binding and toallow easy collection by centrifugation for collection at the completionof panning. In addition, the substance to be bound may be one obtainedby evaporating gold onto any one of a variety of commercially availableplastic plates, for example, a culture dish or a 96-well titer plate, asdescribed below. In this case, in consideration of the wetted area ofthe gold surface and the molecular diffusion effect by stirring, thesize and the number of wells are preferably determined.

The shape of the substance to be bound can be appropriately selected andused from shapes known in the art such as flattened, spherical,acicular, and porous shapes. A formation method can be appropriatelyselected from a physical or chemical vapor deposition method or achemical production method with the use of gold chloride. The obtainedsurface containing gold may be previously washed with an acidicsolution, an alkaline solution, an organic solvent, or the like, inorder to eliminate impurities such as oxide layers, by-products, andcontaminants and have desired condition of gold exposure.

Substrate

A structure available in a variety of uses can be obtained from agold-binding protein and a substrate having gold forming at least aportion of its surface. A substrate having any shape and material can beused as long as it is provided with gold in at least a portion of itssurface and can form the structure of the present invention. Thematerial of the substrate used in the present invention may be any ofmaterials that can form the structure of the present invention, and thatinclude any one or more or a complex thereof selected from a metal, ametal oxide, an inorganic semiconductor, an organic semiconductor,glasses, ceramics, a natural polymer, a synthetic polymer, and aplastic. The shape of the substrate used in the present invention may beany of shapes that can form the structure of the present invention, andthat include any one or more selected from plate, particulate, porousbody-like, protruded, fibrillary, cylindrical, and reticular shapes.

Examples of the organic polymer compound for forming a substrate includean organic polymer compound manufactured through polymerization ofpolymerizable monomers selected from the group consisting of: styrenepolymerizable monomers such as styrene, α-methylstyrene,β-methylstyrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene,2,4-dimethylstyrene, p-n-butylstyrene, p-tert-butylstyrene,p-n-hexylstyrene, p-n-octylstyrene, p-n-nonylstyrene, p-n-decylstyrene,p-n-dodecylstyrene, p-methoxystyrene, and p-phenylstyrene; acrylatepolymerizable monomers such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propylacrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate,tert-butyl acrylate, n-amyl acrylate, n-hexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexylacrylate, n-octyl acrylate, n-nonyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate,benzyl acrylate, dimethyl phosphate ethyl acrylate, diethyl phosphateethyl acrylate, dibutyl phosphate ethyl acrylate, and 2-benzoyloxy ethylacrylate; methacrylate polymerizable monomers such as methylmethacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, isopropylmethacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, tert-butylmethacrylate, n-amyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexylmethacrylate, n-octyl methacrylate, n-nonyl methacrylate, diethylphosphate ethyl methacrylate, and dibutyl phosphate ethyl methacrylate;methylene aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters; vinyl esters such asvinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl butyrate, vinylbenzoate, and vinyl formate; vinyl ethers such as methyl vinyl ether,ethyl vinyl ether, and isobutyl vinyl ether; and vinyl polymerizablemonomers including vinyl ketones such as methyl vinyl ketone, hexylvinyl ketone, and isopropyl vinyl ketone.

Further, examples of the inorganic solids may include, but are of coursenot limited to: clay minerals such as kaolinite, bentonite, talc, andmica; metallic oxides such as alumina, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide,magnetite, ferrite, NbTa composite oxide, WO₃, In₂O₃, MoO₃, V₂O₅, andSnO₂; insoluble inorganic salts such as silica gel, hydroxyapatite, andcalcium phosphate gel; metals such as gold, silver, platinum, andcopper; semiconductor compounds such as GaAs, GaP, ZnS, CdS, and CdSe;glass; silicon; and composites thereof.

Examples of films and sheets that may be used for forming the substrateof the present invention include, but are of course not limited to:films composed of plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET),diacetate, triacetate, cellophane, celluloid, polycarbonate, polyimide,polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylate, polyethylene,polypropylene, and polyester; porous polymer membranes composed ofpolyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, acetyl cellulose, polycarbonate,nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and teflon; wooden boards; glassboards; silicon substrates; fabrics such as, cotton, rayon, acrylic,silk, and polyester; paper such as good quality paper, medium qualitypaper, art paper, bond paper, recycled paper, baryta paper, cast coatedpaper, corrugated paper, and resin coated paper. Note that the materialsof those films and sheets may also be smooth or uneven.

Examples of the substrate include: base plates made of silicon, silica,glass, quartz glass, and so on, microflow paths and holes (pores) formedin the base plates by means of photolithography, etching, and sandblast, or those having surfaces on which thin films of gold, silver, andplatinum are formed; base plates made of polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS),polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), and so on and microflow paths andholes (pores) formed therein by means of molding techniques; carbonnanotubes, carbon nanohones, fullerenes, diamonds, or aggregatesthereof; nanowhiskers constructed of alumina, carbon, flullerene, ZnO,and so on; mesoporous thin films, fine particles, and monolithstructural members made of SiO₂, aluminosilicate, othermethallosillicates, TiO₂, SnO₂, Ta₂O₅, and so on; fine particles ofgold, silver, copper, platinum, and so on; iron-oxide fine particles ofmagnetite, ferrite, hematite, gamma hematite, maghemite, and so on; analuminum/silicon mixture films and silicon-oxide nano structural membersobtained therefrom by means of anodic oxidation; porous alumina thinfilms; alumina nonohole structures; and silicon nano-wires, but notlimited to them.

In addition, the dimensions of the substrate of the present inventioncan be selected variously depending on its intended use application.

Target Substance Detecting Kit

A kit for detecting a target substance can be obtained using theconfiguration of the gold-binding protein of the present invention addedwith affinity to the target substance. For instance, a kit for detectinga target substance can be constructed of: both a substrate and agold-binding complex protein for forming the above structural member;and a detecting member for detecting the binding of a target substanceto the structural member. For instance, the binding of a proteincontaining a gold-binding protein to a target substance can be detectedsuch that gold or a labeling agent containing gold is added to a targetsubstance in a state of being bound to a protein containing agold-binding protein and a physical or chemical procedure is thencarried out to detect the gold or the target substance. Alternatively,when a target substance is one that contains gold, the affinity of agold-binding protein to gold is utilized to allow the gold-bindingprotein to bind to the gold-containing labeling agent and the bindingstate thereof is then detected. In this case, the marker used may be onewhich will be described later in the description of a connecting member.Furthermore, for example, the binding between the labeling agent and thegold-binding protein can be detected by means of a change in physicalvalue, such as an optical, electrical, or thermal change.

By the way, the structure added with the affinity to the labeling agentmay be preferably one that utilizes a gold-binding complex proteindescribed later or a gold-binding protein as a binding member between atarget substance and a labeling agent.

Surface Plasmon Resonance Apparatus

In addition, the binding of a protein that contains a gold-bindingprotein to gold can be quantitatively determined using, for example, aconventionally-known surface plasmon resonance measuring apparatus. Ingeneral, the surface plasmon resonance is a method of determining achange in refractive index on a gold thin film formed on a glass baseplate by a change in resonance angle generated by resonance between freeelectrons on the gold thin film and an evanescent wave generated on theboundary surface between glass and gold by incident light from a glassside at an incident angle of not more than the total reflection angle.The determined change in refractive index can be converted into theamount of a subject protein to gold and then evaluated.

Dissociation Constant (K_(D))

The term “dissociation constant (K_(D))” refers to a value obtained bydividing a “binding rate (Ka)” by a “dissociation rate (kd)” value.Those rates may be used as indexes that represent the affinity of themonoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof to gold. The rates can beanalyzed according to any of various methods. In the present invention,however, the rates are determined from a binding curve using a measuringdevice, Biacore2000 (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Co., Ltd.) according toan analysis software bundled on the device.

(2) Gold-Binding Complex Protein

The gold-binding complex protein of the present invention includes twoor more domains. Of those domains, at least one domain contains thegold-binding protein as constructed above. Exemplified complex proteinsinclude those constructed as described below.

(a) A complex protein including a first domain 1 including agold-binding protein as constructed above and a second domain 2including a protein having a binding site specific to a particularsubstance.

(b) A complex protein further including at least one of a third domain 3that forms a complex with the first domain and a fourth domain 4 thatforms a complex with the second domain in addition to the first domainand the second domain.

In addition, at least one of the second to fourth domains may contain atleast one protein having affinity for gold. In this case, each of thosedomains can be constructed by incorporating the gold-binding proteinconstructed as described above. Furthermore, the first to fourth domainsmay have affinity to a subject binding substance and their affinity canbe then adjusted independently from one domain to another.Alternatively, two or more domains may have similar affinity. Thosedomains may be constructed from domains having different affinity.

Furthermore, at least two selected from the first to fourth domains maybe contained in the same polypeptide chain. Examples of such aconfiguration of the gold-binding complex protein include the followingstructures.

(1) The structure in which the first domain and the second domain formone polypeptide chain.

(2) The structure in which the first domain and the second domain arebound via one or more amino acids.

(3) The structure in which the third domain and the fourth domain formone polypeptide chain.

(4) The structure in which the third domain and the fourth domain arebound via one or more amino acids.

(5) The structure consisting of a first polypeptide chain containing afirst domain and a second domain and a second polypeptide chaincontaining a third domain and a fourth domain.

(6) The structure consisting of a first polypeptide chain containing afirst domain and a second domain and a third polypeptide chaincontaining a third domain and a second domain.

(7) The structure consisting of a first polypeptide chain containing afirst domain and a second domain and a fourth polypeptide chaincontaining a first domain and a fourth domain.

(8) The structure consisting of one polypeptide chain containing atleast a first domain, a second domain, and a third domain.

(9) The structure consisting of one polypeptide chain containing atleast a first domain, a second domain, and a fourth domain.

(10) The structure consisting of one polypeptide chain containing firstto fourth domains.

Gold-Binding Complex Protein

A protein provided as a constituent of the gold-binding complex proteinrefers to a molecule that contains at least one polypeptide chain formedby allowing at least two amino acids to bind together, where thepolypeptide chains can be folded into a specific three-dimensionalstructure to exert its inherent functions (e.g., conversion andmolecular recognition). In addition, the gold-binding complex protein ofthe present invention is a complex protein that contains at least onebinding site for gold and also at least one binding site for gold orother substance except gold to show affinity with polyvalent or multiplespecificity. For instance, the complex protein may preferably include afirst domain having a binding site for gold and containing at least apart of the variable region of a light chain (VL) or the variable regionof a heavy chain (VH) of an antibody and a second domain having abinding site for a specific substance (hereinafter, referred to as atarget substance) and containing at least a part of VH or VL.Hereinafter, VH and VL binding with gold refer to VH(G) and VL(G),respectively. VH and VL binding with a target substance refer to VH(T)and VL(T), respectively.

The antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and the antibody lightchain variable region (VL) are variable regions which respectivelybelong to an antibody heavy chain and an antibody light chain. Ingeneral, each of the antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) and theantibody light chain variable region (VL) is of a tubular structure andconsists of about 110 amino acids and a layered structure is then formedwith β sheet groups being arranged in opposite directions, while thelayer structure is connected using a single S—S bond to form a verystable structure. In addition, it is known that the variable region (VHor VL) is a complementarity determining region (CDR) that determines thebinding of antibodies to a wide variety of antigens. There are threeCDRs in each of VH and VL and are separated from each other by frameworkregions having amino acid sequences with comparatively low diversity tothereby recognize a spatial arrangement of a functional group of atarget recognition site, allowing the more advanced recognition of aspecific molecule.

Hereinafter, an example of the gold-binding complex protein of thepresent invention will be described. As schematically illustrated inFIG. 1, the minimum unit of the gold-binding complex protein includesthe first domain and the second domain. Exemplified combinations of thedomains include VH(G)-VH(T) as shown in (a), VH(G)-VL(T) as shown in(b), VL(G)-VH(T) as shown in (c), and VL(G)-VL(T) as shown in (d). Inthis example, the first domain binds to gold and the second domain bindsto a target substance, independently, without forming a complementarybinding site between the first and second domains. The first and seconddomains may be independent polypeptide chains, respectively, or they maybe continuously aligned and linked with each other. In terms ofsimplification of the manufacturing process and functional expression, amore preferable embodiment is to form a polypeptide chain bycontinuously linking the polypeptide chains. In the case of thepolypeptide chain prepared by continuously linking the first domain andthe second domain, the first domain and the second domain may bedirectly linked with each other or may be linked through a linker 5 madeof one or more amino acids. The linker consisting of amino acids ispreferably one consisting of 1 to 10 amino acids, more preferably oneconsisting of 1 to 5 amino acids. When the linker has an amino acidlength of 11 to 15, complementary binding between the first domain andthe second domain (becoming scFv) may be formed because of littlerestriction imposed on those domains due to their arrangements. Forpreventing the formation of a complementary complex between VH and VL,it is known that it is effective to burden the structural limitationbetween the domains by shortening the linker length. It is desirablethat structural change that is brought when each of the first and thesecond domains binds to target substance does not effect its desiredbinding ability to target substance. Therefore, it is possible to setthe linkers comprised of second structure such as helix or insertpolypeptide that is not related to required binding character, as longas they do not significantly effect desired characters or productivity.

Furthermore, the gold-binding complex protein of the present inventionforms a complex with the first domain. It may include a third domainthat contains at least a part of VH or VL and/or a fourth domain thatcontains at least a part of VL or VH which forms a complex with thesecond domain. It is more desirable to allow the third domain to make acomplex with the first domain to form a complementary gold-binding sitewith the first domain.

For instance, when the first domain is VH(G) as shown in the schematicdiagrams in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the third domain is preferably VL which isable to form FV with the first domain, more preferably a structureformed such that a gold-binding site is formed by linking the firstdomain with the third domain.

As described above, the first domain and the third domain form Fv toattain structural stability and to be expected to prevent a decrease infunction due to the structural change. Furthermore, as the third domainforms a gold-binding site by linking with the first domain, a furtherincrease in binding ability (e.g., an increase in binding rate andsuppression of dissociation rate) can be expected.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2A, the first domain and the third domainmay be respectively provided as independent polypeptide chains or may belinked with each other to form a polypeptide chain (e.g., thirddomain-first domain-second domain, as shown in the schematic diagram ofFIG. 2B, the structure may be suitably determined such that the bindingability is exerted on gold and a target). Furthermore, as anotherexample, the structure as shown in a schematic diagram of FIG. 3 may beallowable. In other words, it is a complex constructed of a polypeptidechain consisting of the first domain and the second domain and apolypeptide chain consisting of the third domain and the second domain.In this case, the binding with gold is attained by Fv or an Fv-likecomplex formed from the first and third domains and the first domainthen functions as an anchor that binds to a target substance through thesecond domain.

Furthermore, the gold-binding protein of the present invention mayinclude a fourth domain consisting of at least a part of VH or VL toform a complex with the second domain. It is desirable to form a bindingsite to the target substance together with the second domain in acomplementary manner. For example, as shown in the schematic diagram ofFIG. 4A, when the second domain is VL, the fourth domain is preferablyVH which is able to form Fv with the second domain. More preferably, thesecond domain and the fourth domain are linked together to form abinding site against the target substance. Furthermore, as shown in aschematic diagram of FIG. 4B, a polypeptide chain may be formed bylinking the first, second, and fourth domains together.

Especially in case that the protein binds to gold substrate via at leasta portion of surface of the first domain while binds to target substancevia the second and the fourth domain and that irreversible structuralchange occurs when the first domain binds to the substrate, it ispossible to minimize the effect on binding abilities of the second andthe forth domain by setting a linker.

Moreover, the gold-binding protein of the present invention may beconstructed as illustrated in a schematic diagram of FIG. 5. That is, itis a complex constructed of a polypeptide chain consisting of the firstdomain and the second domain and a polypeptide chain consisting of thefirst domain and the fourth domain. In this case, the complex binds to atarget substance by means of Fv or an Fv-like complex which is made upof the second domain and the fourth domain to allow the first domain tofunction as an anchor for combining both polypeptide chains describedabove with gold.

Furthermore, the gold-binding protein of the present invention mayinclude the third and fourth domains together as constituent materials.As shown in a schematic diagram of FIG. 6, the third and fourth domainsmay be independent polypeptide chains, respectively. Alternatively, asshown in a schematic diagram of FIG. 7, it may be a polypeptide chainobtained by a linkage between polypeptide chains. When the gold-bindingprotein is provided as a linked polypeptide chain, the third domain andthe fourth domain may be directly linked together or may be linkedthrough a linker consisting of one or more amino acids as shown in FIG.7. The length of the linker may be defined such that, as describedabove, the linker consisting of amino acid(s) has an amino acid lengthof preferably 1 to 10 amino acid, more preferably 1 to 5 amino acids.

Furthermore, as shown in a schematic diagram of FIG. 8, the first tofourth domains may be linked together in a single polypeptide chain. Inthis case, those domains are arranged such that the first domain and thethird domain can form a complex and then the complex can bind to goldwhile the second domain and the fourth domain can form a complex andthen the complex can bind to gold and other substance except gold.Therefore, the linker is preferably provided between the domains. Forinstance, 1 to 5 amino acids are located between the first and seconddomains or between the third and fourth domains. Also, 15 to 25 aminoacids are located between the second and fourth domains of amino acids.In the similar structure, each of or both of the first and seconddomains and the third and fourth domains may be replaced with eachother.

The sequence of each domain in the single polypeptide chain may besuitably selected and defined depending on desired properties such asaffinity for gold or a target and the long-term stability of thegold-binding protein.

The first domain is, for example, one comprising at least one amino acidsequence selected from SEQ ID No: 1 to SEQ ID No: 57. In each of thoseamino acid sequences, there is no problem as far as the amino acidretains its affinity for gold even though the amino acid sequence issubjected to the deletion, substitution, or addition of one or severalamino acids. Furthermore, it may be used as the gold binding protein ofthe present invention without any problem as far as it shows affinityfor gold even though the amino acid sequence is provided as one formingpart of the amino acid sequences or provided as a complex thereof.Specific examples of VH of the present invention having SEQ ID No: 1 toSEQ ID No: 57 are represented in SEQ ID No: 58 to SEQ ID No: 74. Also,specific examples of VL of the present invention are represented in SEQID No: 75 to SEQ ID No: 77.

Preferably, the third domain contains one or more amino acids selectedfrom SEQ ID No: 1 to SEQ ID No: 57. Furthermore, the third domain ismore preferably defined by suitably selecting from SEQ ID No: 58 to SEQID No: 77 depending on the first domain.

The present invention also includes a nucleic acid that encodes theabove gold-binding complex protein. In addition, the present inventionalso includes a construct consisting of a nucleic acid to be provided asa vector for transforming host cells (e.g., conventionally knownprotein-expressing cells from E. coli, yeast, mouse, human, or thelike). Exemplified nucleic acid sequences that encode the first andthird domains capable of constituting the gold-binding protein of thepresent invention are represented in SEQ ID No: 98 to SEQ ID No: 116.

Each domain of the gold-binding protein of the present invention, whichcan be expressed by one expression vector described above, may bedesigned by selecting from 1 to 4. When one expression vector is encodedby multiple domains of the gold-binding protein of the presentinvention, each domain can be expressed as an independent polypeptidechain. In addition, a vector configuration expressed as one polypeptidein which domains are bound directly or via an amino acid can beobtained. Furthermore, the configuration of the expression vector forthe gold-binding protein of the present invention can be designed andconstructed by incorporating transgenes such as known promoters into aconstitution required for the expression thereof on the basis of hostcells selected. The configuration of the vector can be constructed withreference to the configuration of known promoters or the like on thebasis of host cells selected. Furthermore, when E. coli or the like isused as host cells, the gold-binding protein of the present invention,which is a foreign gene product, is quickly removed out of cytoplasm toreduce the decomposition of protease. Furthermore, when the gene productmay be toxic for bacterial cells, it is possible to reduce its effect bysecretion to the outside of cell bodies. In general, most of proteinssecreted through the known cell membrane or inner membrane have signalpeptides on their N terminals of the peptidase. During the secretionstep, the signal peptidase cleaves the protein to make it a matureprotein. Many signal peptides have basic amino acids, hydrophobic aminoacids, and the cleavage sites of the signal peptidase at their Nterminals.

The peptide chain can be expressed and secreted by arranging nucleicacid that encodes a conventionally known signal peptide typified by asingle peptide pelB on the 5′ end of the nucleic acid encoding thegold-binding complex protein of the present invention. In addition, eachof domains that constitute the gold-binding complex protein of thepresent invention or a polypeptide chain constructed of two or more ofthe domains may be independently inserted into a single vector. In thiscase, the nucleic acid that encodes pelB is arranged on the 5′ end ofnucleic acid that encodes each of domains or a polypeptide chain tofacilitate the secretion. For expressing the polypeptide chain as oneconsisting of one or more domains, likewise, the secretion of such apolypeptide chain can be facilitated by arranging the nucleic acid thatencodes pelB on the 5′ end of the polypeptide chain. In this manner, thegold-binding protein of the present invention, in which a signal peptideis fused on the N-terminal end thereof, or a domain used as aconstituent thereof can be purified from the periplasma fraction and thesupernatant of the culture. In addition, considering the easiness ofwork at the time of purifying the protein expressed, a purification tagmay be arranged on each of independent domains or on the N or C terminalof the polypeptide chain formed by combining two or more domains by agenetic engineering procedure. The purification tag may be a histidinetag constructed of continuously arranged six histidine residues(hereinafter, referred to as His×6), a glutathione-binding site ofglutathione-S-transferase, or the like. As a method of introducing thetag, for example, there is a method in which a nucleic acid encoding apurified tag is inserted into the 5′ or 3′ terminal of nucleic acidencoding a gold-binding protein in the expression vector, or a methodwith the used of a commercially available vector for introducing apurified tag.

Hereinafter, the method of manufacturing the gold-binding complexprotein of the present invention using the above expression vector willbe described.

The gold-binding complex protein of the present invention or apolypeptide chain to be provided as a constituent thereof is synthesizedby: transforming a vector for expressing the gold-binding complexprotein designed depending on host cells into host cells for expressinga conventionally known protein; and preparing a desired protein in thehost cells using a protein synthesis system in host cells. After that,the intended protein being accumulated or secreted inside or outside thehost cells is purified from the inside of the cells or the supernatantof cell culture.

For instance, in the case of using E. coli as host cells, nucleic acidthat encodes a conventionally known signal peptide typified by pelB isarranged on the 5′ end of nucleic acid that encodes the gold-bindingcomplex protein of the present invention to thereby facilitate thesecretory expression. For expressing two or more polypeptide chains toobtain each of domains that constitute the gold-binding complex proteinof the present invention by means of one expression vector, nucleic acidthat encodes pelB is arranged on the 5′ end of nucleic acid that encodeseach polypeptide chain to facilitate the secretion to the outside ofcytoplasm. In this manner, the gold-binding protein of the presentinvention, in which a single peptide is fused on the N-terminal endthereof, can be purified from the periplasma fraction and thesupernatant of the culture. As a purification method, when thepurification tag is a His tag and when a column is a nickel chelatecolumn or GST, the purification can be carried out using a glutathioneimmobilization column.

Furthermore, In addition, the gold-binding complex protein of thepresent invention expressed in bacterial cells can be obtained in theform of insoluble granule. In this case, the bacterial cells obtainedfrom a culture medium may be crushed by a French press or an ultrasonicwave and then the insoluble granules are centrifuged from a cellhomogenized solution. The resulting insoluble granule fraction isdissolved in a buffer solution containing a conventionally knowndenaturing agent including urea and guanicine hydrochloride salt andthen purified through a column under denaturing conditions as describedabove. The resulting column eluent fraction may be subjected to arefolding work to remove the denaturing agent and reconstruct an activestructure. The refolding method used may be suitably selected from anyof those known in the art. Specifically, depending on a protein ofinterest, a serial dilution method, a dilution method, or the like maybe used.

Each of domains or each of polypeptide chains of the gold-bindingprotein of the present invention may be expressed in the same host celland then complexed, or alternatively expressed using other host cellsand allowed to coexist to make a complex.

Furthermore, using a vector encoding the gold-binding protein of thepresent invention, the in vitro expression of a protein from a cellextract may be carried out. The cell extracts appropriately used hereininclude E. coli, wheat germ, and rabbit reticulocytes. However, theprotein synthesis in the above cell-free extract is typically carriedout under the reduction condition. Therefore, more preferable is tocarry out any treatment for the formation of a disulfide bond in theantibody fragment.

The gold-binding complex protein of the present invention has adissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁶ M or less, more preferably 10⁻⁸ Mor less under the buffer condition of in the presence of 0.1% Tween 20.Under the above conditions, the inventors of the present invention havestudied and confirmed that none of protein materials which have beenconsidered to show comparatively high adsorption to gold can be adsorbedto gold. When the Kd value is 10⁻⁶ M or less, it can be sufficientlydistinguishable from the adsorption behavior of protein havingnon-specific adsorptivity. Besides, 10⁻⁸ M or less allows a sufficientfunction as an anchor molecule for immobilization.

As one of the methods of acquiring an antibody heavy chain variableregion (VH) or antibody light chain variable region (VL) having bindingability to a target substance having gold of the present invention,there is a method including: preparing a gene library of VH or VLdescribed above; expressing them as proteins cyclopaedically; and makingcorrespondence between the proteins and the genes to select one on thebasis of affinity for gold or a target substance. The above gene librarycan be obtained from cord blood, tonsil, marrow, peripheral blood cells,splenic cells, or the like. For instance, mRNA is extracted from humanperipheral blood cells to prepare cDNA. Subsequently, using a human VH-or VL-encoding sequence as a probe, cDNA library of human VH or VL isprepared. For instance, primers which can widely amplify the human VHfamilies (VH1 to 7) every family and primers which can amplify human VLare known in the art. Every VH or CL, primers are combined together tocarry out RT-PCR to acquire the VH- or VL-encoding gene. Alternatively,a phage display method may be used. The phage display method includes:combining a gene library for encoding VH, VL, or a complex (e.g., Fab,scFv) containing VH or VL with a gene that encodes a phage coat protein;preparing phagemid libraries; transforming the phagemid libraries intoE. coli; and expressing as phages having various VH or VL as part of thecoat protein. Using those phages, as well as the above description, itcan be selected depending on affinity for gold or a target substance.Genes encoding VH or VL represented as a fusion protein in the phage isencoded in a phagemid of the phage. Therefore, it can be specified bysubjecting to a DNA sequence analysis.

Furthermore, cells that produce an antibody of interest are collectedfrom an animal immunized with gold or a target substance and then a VHor VL base sequence or an amino acid sequence can be specified using thesame primers as those described above.

Furthermore, the third and fourth domains of the present invention canbe designed against a target substance on the basis of an amino acidsequence of a variable region in a known antibody or a fragment thereof.In addition, when the antibody or the fragment thereof against a targetsubstance is not obtained, it is possible to design as described aboveby analyzing an amino acid sequence after acquiring an antibody thereto.Both of the third domain and the fourth domain may be those thatconstitute the gold-binding protein of the present invention. In thisway, the VH or VL base sequence thus obtained is used to prepare thegold-binding complex protein of the present invention.

Binding Object Having Gold

As a binding object used for the selection of a gold-binding protein bymeans of immunization, panning, or the like, those previouslyexemplified in the case of the gold-binding protein are available.

Substrate

The gold-binding complex protein of the present invention may becombined with a substrate to provide a structure which can be used invarious kinds of applications. The substrates which can be used in theapplications are those previously exemplified for the gold-bindingprotein.

Target Substance

The gold-binding complex protein of the present invention is constructedof a domain having affinity for gold and a domain having affinity for atarget substance and thus it becomes possible to utilize the protein asa complex protein for detecting the target substance. The targetsubstance provided as a detection subject may be any of molecules whichcan be provided as antigens in the respective procedures usingantigen/antibody reactions. For instance, the target substances can beroughly classified into non-biological substances and biologicalsubstances.

Examples of non-biological materials with a high value of industrialutilization include PCBs and dioxins that are environmental pollutantshaving different chlorine substitution numbers and positions, andendocrine-disrupting substances, so called environment hormones (forexample, hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorophenol, 2,4,5-trichloroaceticacid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, amitrole, atrazine, alachlor,hexachlorocyclohexane, ethylparathion, chlordane, oxychlordane,nanochlor, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, DDT, kelthane, aldrin, endrin,dieldrin, endosulfan (benzoepin), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide,malathion, methomyl, methoxychlor, mirex, nitrofen, toxaphene,trifluralin, alkylphenol (with carbon numbers of 5 to 9), nonylphenol,octynonylphenol, 4-octylphenol, bisphenol A, di-2-ethylhexl phthalate,butylbenzyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate,diethyl phthalate, benzo(a)pyrene, 2,4-dichlorophenol, di-2-ethylhexyladipate, benzophenone, 4-nitrotoluene, octachlorostyrene, aldicarb,benomyl, kepone (chlordecone), manzeb (mancozeb), maneb, metiram,metribuzin, cypermethrin, esfenvalerate, fenvalerate, permethrin,vinclozolin, zineb, ziram, dipentyl phthalate, dihexyl phthalate, anddipropyl phthalate).

The biological substances include a biological substance selected from anucleic acid, a protein, a sugar chain, a lipid, and a complex thereof,and more particularly include a biological substance selected from anucleic acid, a protein, a sugar chain, and a lipid. In particular, thepresent invention can be applied to any of substances containing asubstance selected from any of DNA, RNA, an aptamer, a gene, achromosome, a cell membrane, a virus, an antigen, an antibody, lectin,hapten, a hormone, a receptor, an enzyme, peptide, sphingoglycolipid,and sphingolipid. In addition, a bacterium or cell itself that producesthe above-described “biological substance” can also be a targetsubstance as a “biological substance” of interest in the presentinvention.

A specific example of a protein includes a so-called disease marker.Examples thereof include: a-fetoprotein (AFP) as a marker forhepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer), hepatoblastoma,metastatic liver cancer, and yolk sac tumor, which is an acidicglycoprotein produced by a hepatic cell in the fetal period and presentin fetal blood; PIVKA-II that is an abnormal prothrombin appearingduring hepatic parenchyma disorder and found to appear specifically forhepatocellular carcinoma; BCA225 as a marker for primary advanced breastcancer, and recurrent and metastatic breast cancer, which is aglycoprotein of an antigen immunohistochemically specific for breastcancer; basic fetoprotein (BFP) as a marker for ovarian cancer,testicular tumor, prostatic cancer, pancreatic carcinoma, biliary tractcancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cancer, lung cancer, gastriccancer, bladder carcinoma, and colon cancer, which is a basic fetalprotein found in a human fetal serum, intestine, and brain cell extract;CA15-3 as a marker for progressive breast cancer, recurrent breastcancer, primary breast cancer, and ovarian cancer, which is a sugarchain antigen; CA19-9 as a marker for pancreatic carcinoma, biliarytract cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, and ovariancancer, which is a sugar chain antigen; CA72-4 as a marker for ovariancancer, breast cancer, clorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and pancreaticcarcinoma, which is a sugar chain antigen; CA125 as a marker for ovariancancer (especially, serous cystadenocarcinoma), corpus uteriadenocarcinoma, Fallopian tube cancer, uterocervical adenocarcinoma,pancreatic carcinoma, lung cancer, and colon cancer, which is a sugarchain antigen; CA130 as a marker for epithelial ovarian cancer,Fallopian tube cancer, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, andpancreatic carcinoma, which is a glycoprotein; CA602 as a marker forovarian cancer (especially, serous cystadenocarcinoma), corpus uteriadenocarcinoma, and uterocervical adenocarcinoma, which is a coreprotein antigen; CA54/61 (CA546) as a marker for ovarian cancer(especially, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma), corpus uteri adenocarcinoma,and uterocervical adenocarcinoma, which is a mother cell nucleus sugarchain-associated antigen; a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) most widelyused at present for assisting in cancer diagnostic as a tumor-associatedmarker antigen such as colon cancer, gastric cancer, rectal cancer,biliary tract cancer, pancreatic carcinoma, lung cancer, breast cancer,uterine cancer, and urinary system carcinoma; DUPAN-2 as a marker forpancreatic carcinoma, biliary tract cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma,gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer, which is a sugar chainantigen; elastase 1 as a marker for pancreatic carcinoma, pancreaticcisterna, and biliary tract cancer, which is an exocrine pancreaticproteolytic enzyme present in pancreas and specifically hydrolyzingelastic fiber elastin of connective tissues (constituting arterial wall,tendon, or the like); an immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) as amarker for lung cancer, leukemia, esophageal cancer, pancreaticcarcinoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, cholangioma, gastric cancer,bladder carcinoma, colon cancer, thyroid carcinoma, and malignantlymphoma, which is a glycoprotein present at high concentrations inascites or serum of human cancer patients; NCC-ST-439 as a marker forpancreatic carcinoma, biliary tract cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer,hepatocellular carcinoma, pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and gastric cancer,which is a sugar chain antigen; γ-seminoprotein (γ-Sm) as a marker forprostatic cancer, which is a glycoprotein; a prostate-specific antigen(PSA) that is a glycoprotein extracted from human prostate tissues andpresent in only prostate tissues, thereby being a marker for a prostaticcancer; prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) used as a tumor marker forprostatic cancer, which is an enzyme hydrolyzing phosphate under acid pHsecreted by prostate gland; neuron-specific enolase (NSE) as a markerfor lung cancer (especially, lung small cell carcinoma), neuroblastoma,nervous system neoplasm, pancreatic islet cancer, Gullet small cellcarcinoma, gastric cancer, renal cancer, and breast cancer, which is aglycolytic enzyme specifically present in nervous tissues andneuroendocrine cells; a squamous cell carcinoma-associated antigen (SCCantigen) as a marker for uterine cancer (cervical squamous cancer), lungcancer, esophageal cancer, Head and neck cancer, and carcinoma cutaneum,which is a protein extracted and purified from the liver metastaticfocus of uterocervical squamous cancer; a sialyl Le^(X)-i antigen (SLX)as a marker for pulmonary adenocarcinoma, esophageal cancer, gastriccancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, pancreatic carcinoma, ovariancancer, and uterine cancer, which is a sugar chain antigen; SPan-1 as amarker for pancreatic carcinoma, biliary tract cancer, liver cancer,gastric cancer, and colon cancer, which is a sugar chain antigen; atissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) as a marker for esophageal cancer,gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellularcarcinoma, biliary tract cancer, pancreatic carcinoma, lung cancer, anduterine cancer, which is single-stranded polypeptide useful especiallyin the estimation of progressive cancer and recurrenceprecognition/therapeutic process observation in combination with othertumor markers; a sialyl Tn antigen (STN) as a marker for ovarian cancer,metastatic ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, biliary systemcancer, pancreatic carcinoma, and lung cancer, which is a mother cellnucleus carbohydrate antigen; cytokeratin (CYFRA) as an effective tumormarker for detecting pulmonary non-small cell carcinoma, especiallypulmonary squamous cancer; pepsinogen (PG) as a marker for gastric ulcer(especially, infraversion gastric ulcer), duodenal ulcer (especially,recurrent and intractable cases), Brunner's gland oma, Dzo ringerEllison syndrome, and acute gastritis, which is an inactive precursor oftwo pepsins (PG I, PG II) as a proteolytic enzyme secreted into gastricjuice; C-reactive protein (CRP) that is an acute phase reactant changedin blood plasma by tissue injury and infection and shows high level whennecrosis occurs in heart muscle due to acute myocardial infarction orthe like; serum amyloid A protein (SAA) that is an acute phase reactantchanged in blood plasma by tissue injury and infection; myoglobin as amarker for acute myocardial infarction, muscular dystrophy,polymyositis, and dermatomyositis, which is a heme protein having amolecular weight of approximately 17,500 and present mainly in heartmuscle and skeletal muscle; creatine kinase (CK) (three isozymes ofCK-MM type derived from skeletal muscle, CK-BB type derived from brainand smooth muscle, and CK-MB type derived from heart muscle, andmitochondrial isozymes or immunoglobulin-bound type CK (macro CK)) as amarker for acute myocardial infarction, hypothyroidism, progressivemuscular dystrophy, and polymyositis, which is an enzyme present mainlyin the soluble fraction of skeletal muscle or heart muscle andemigrating into blood due to cellular lesion; troponin T as a marker forrhabdomyolysis, myocarditis, myocardial infarction, and renal failure,which is a protein with a molecular weight of 39,000 forming a troponincomplex with troponins I and C on the thin filament of striated muscleand involved in the regulation of muscular contraction; ventricularmuscle myosin light chain I as a marker for acute myocardinalinfarction, muscular dystrophy, and renal failure, which is a proteincontained in both skeletal muscle and heart muscle and for which a risein the measurement means the disorder or necrosis of skeletal muscle andheart muscle; or chromogranin A, thioredoxin, and 8-OhdG that recentlyreceive increasing attention as a stress marker.

Kit for Detecting Target Substance

The gold-binding complex protein according to the present invention canbe used to constitute a kit for detecting a target substance. Forexample, the kit for detecting a target substance can be constituted,which includes: a gold-binding complex protein with the use of anantibody and a variant thereof specifically binding to the targetsubstance in a second domain and a fourth domain optionally used, asubstrate having a surface containing gold; and detection means fordetecting the target substance immobilized on the substrate via thegold-binding complex protein. The detection of the target substanceimmobilized on the gold substrate via the gold-binding complex proteincan be measured with the above-described surface plasmon resonancedevice. A method in which the substrate containing gold in a portionthereof is used as a labeling agent to detect the target substance canbe utilized. The gold-binding complex protein described above can beused as a substance for mediating such a gold substrate, labeling agent,and target substance. The gold-binding complex protein formed using anantibody fragment recognizing and binding to the target substance can beused in the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the acquisition and evaluation of a protein capable ofbinding to gold as an example of the present invention will be describedin detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the contentsdescribed in “EXAMPLES”.

Example 1 Preparation of Antibody Heavy Chain Variable Region VH Library

By using a Fab library derived from human adult peripheral blood Blymphocyte as a template, VH coding gene was subjected to DNAreplication by means of the following primer in accordance with a methodrecommended by PCR (TAKARA BIO INC, LA kit). The primer was set asfollows.

back primers (SEQ ID No: 78)5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCCAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAG TCTGG-3′ (SEQ ID No:79) 5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCCAGRTYCAGCTGGTGCAG TCTGG-3′ (SEQ IDNo: 80) 5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCCAGSTRCAGCTGCAGSAG TCRGG-3′ (SEQID No: 81) 5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCSARGTGCAGKTGGTGGAG TCTGG-3′(SEQ ID No: 82) 5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCCCAGTGTGAGGTGCAGCTGGTGG-3′ (SEQ ID No: 83)5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCCAGGTGCAGCTACAGSAG TGGGG-3′ forwardprimers (SEQ ID No: 84) 5′-ATTCTCGACTGCTAGCTGAGGAGACGGTGACCAGGGTGCC-3′(SEQ ID No: 85) 5′-ATTCTCGACTGCTAGCTGAAGAGACGGTGACCATTGTCCC-3′ (SEQ IDNo: 86) 5′-ATTCTCGACTGCTAGCTGAGGAGACGGTGACCAGGGTTCC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 87)5′-ATTCTCGACTGCTAGCTGAGGAGACGGTGACCGTGGTCCC-3′

(1) By using the Fab library as a template, the VH coding gene wasamplified by PCR using the primer.

PCR conditions: 95° C.×10 min (94° C.×1 min, 60° C.×2 min, 72° C.×2min)×35 cycle, 72° C.×6 min).

(2) A plasmid pRA-XX obtained by improving a multicloning site of pLUCK(Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 218, pp 682, 1996) as shown in FIG. 11 wasprepared as a vector for protein expression. (Subsequent to HindIII, anucleotide sequence encoding pelB as a signal peptide was arranged.Then, restriction enzyme sites were arranged between NcoI and EcoRI inorder of NheI/SacII/SpeI. A nucleotide sequence encoding His×6 wasarranged between SacII/SpeI. In addition, ampicillin resistant gene, T7promoter, lac operator, and T7 terminator sequences were the same asthat of pluck).

(3) The PCR product and the plasmid were cleaved by using a restrictionenzyme in NcoI/NheI (each available from New England Biolabs) inaccordance with a recommended method.

The solution of the plasmid cleaved with the restriction enzyme wassubjected to spin column 400HR (Amasham Science).

(4) The solution of the PCR fragments cleaved with the restrictionenzyme was purified by using a commercially available gel purificationkit (SV Gel and PCR Clean-up system: Promega).

(5) The above 2 fragments were mixed with a commercially available T4ligase kit (Roche) in accordance with a method recommended by asupplier, followed by ligation. As a result, a VH coding gene insertionvector shown in FIG. 12A was obtained.

(6) Escherichia coli DS12S strain was transformed by using the ligationproduct through electropolation. A plasmid was prepared on a largescale.

(7) Those plasmid solutions were serially diluted, and each solution wassubjected to transformation of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) throughelectropolation. 700 μL of LB medium were added to the solution, and thewhole was cultured with shaking at 37° C. for 1 hour. The culturesolution was centrifuged at 6,000 rpm for 5 minutes, and then 650 μL ofthe supernatant were discarded.

(8) The remaining supernatant and a precipitate fraction were suspended,and the suspension was inoculated on an LB/Amp. plate. Then, the wholewas left standing at 37° C. overnight. As a result, an antibody VHlibrary containing about 5×10⁵ clones was eventually obtained.

(9) Next, 1,000 colonies were arbitrarily selected from the three10³-fold dilution plates, and a protein crude extract was preparedaccording to the following steps. Each colony was subcultured in 3 mL ofa liquid medium of LB/amp., and the whole was cultured with shaking at28° C. for 6 hours. Next, IPTG was added to have a final concentrationof 1 mM, and the whole was cultured with shaking for an additional 12hours.

(10) Subsequently, a culture fraction and a supernatant bacterialfraction were obtained through centrifugation (10,500 rpm×5 min).

(11) The resultant bacterial fraction was added with and suspended in200 μL of an osmotic solution cooled in ice (0.5 M sucrose, 1 M Tris-HCl(pH 8.0), 0.5 mM EDTA), and the whole was left standing in ice for 10minutes. Next, 1 mL of cooled sterilized water was added, and the wholewas left standing in ice for 1 hour. After the resultant had beencentrifuged (6,000 rpm×30 min), the supernatant was placed in a dialysisbag (MWCO 10,000) and was dialyzed for 18 hours using Tris+0.1% Tween 20solution (20 mM Tris, 500 mM NaCl) as an external solution while theexternal solution was changed every 6 hours.

The dialysis internal solution obtained in the above step was used as asample for screening of a gold-binding antibody heavy chain variableregion (VH).

Example 2 Screening of Gold-Binding Antibody Heavy Chain Variable Region(VH)

A 96-well titer plate on which gold (having a thickness of 100 nm) wasdeposited was prepared as a substrate for screening of a gold-bindingantibody heavy chain variable region (VH). 250 μL of 1,000 samplesolutions obtained in Example 1 were dispensed in each well, and theplate was gently shaken for 1 hour. After the supernatant had beendiscarded, the plate was turned upside down and was tapped on papertowel 10 times to remove water. A washing step was performed, whichinvolved: adding 200 μL of Tris+0.1% Tween 20 to each well; and gentlyshaking the plate for 10 minutes. This operation was repeated 3 times.200 μL of an antibody solution prepared by diluting an HRP-bindinganti-His antibody (Invitrogen) with Tris+0.1% Tween 20 solution at1:10,000 were dispensed in each well, and the plate was gently shakenfor 1 hour. Subsequently, the same operation as the washing step wasperformed. 100 μL of each of an HRP substrate and Detect Reagents 1 and2 (Amasham Science) serving as coloring materials were dispensed in eachwell, and the plate was gently shaken for 1 hour. The luminolchemiluminescence level was determined.

15 sample colonies in each of which chemiluminescence was observed asdescribed above were subcultured in 1.5 mL of LB/amp., and the whole wascultured with shaking at 37° C. overnight. A plasmid was purified fromthe resultant fungus by means of an SV MiniPrep DNA purification system(Promega). DNA sequences of 17 VL-representing phagemids obtained asdescribed above were determined according to the following method.Primers for sequencing were set at a pelB sequence portion placedupstream of the VH coding gene of an expression vector. The primer forsequencing was as follows. pelB-back

(SEQ ID No: 88) 5′-ccgct ggatt gttat tactc gc-3′

A BigDye-PCR reaction was performed by using the above primer and asequencing reaction kit and a reaction solution composition recommendedby a supplier. A temperature cycle was 96° C.×3 min→(94° C.×1 min→50°C.×1 min→68° C.×4 min)×30 cycle. Next, the base sequence of the PCRproduct purified through ethanol precipitation was determined by meansof a sequencer (377 manufactured by ABI). As a result, each sequence ofSEQ ID Nos.: 58 to 74 was obtained.

Example 3 Preparation of Antibody Light Chain Variable Region VL Library

A VL gene library was prepared from a Fab library of human peripheralblood cells in the same manner as in Example 1. The primers were asfollows.

back primer (SEQ ID No: 89)5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCGMCATYCAGWTGACCCAG TCTCC-3′ (SEQ ID No:90) 5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCGATRTTGTGATGACYCAG WCTCC-3′ (SEQ IDNo: 91) 5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCGAAATTGTGWTGACGCAG TCTCC-3′ (SEQID No: 92) 5′-TCGCAACTGCGGCCCAGCCGGCCATGGCCGACATCGWGHTGACCCAG TCTCC-3′forward primer (SEQ ID No: 93) 5′-TTCTCGACTTGCGGCCGCACGTTTGATTTCCACCTTGGTCCC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 94)5′-TTCTCGACTTGCGGCCGCACGTTTGATCTCCAGCTTGGTCCC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 95)5′-TTCTCGACTTGCGGCCGCACGTTTGATATCCACTTT GGTCCC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 96)5′-TTCTCGACTTGCGGCCGCACGTTTGATCTCCACCTT GGTCCC-3′ (SEQ ID No: 97)5′-TTCTCGACTTGCGGCCGCACGTTTAATCTCCAGTCG TGTCCC-3′

In addition, a plasmid to be used was similarly prepared except thatNheI between NcoI/SacII was changed to NotI at the time of preparationof a plasmid for protein expression in (2) of Example 1. Furthermore,the VL protein dialysis internal solution obtained at the end of thestep of (11) of Example 1 was used as a sample for screening of agold-binding antibody light chain variable region (VL).

Example 4 Screening of Gold-Binding Antibody Light Chain Variable Region(VL)

Screening of a gold-binding VL was performed in the same manner as inExample 2 except that the sample obtained in Example 3 was used as ascreening sample. As a result, each sequence of SEQ ID Nos.: 75 to 77was obtained.

Hereinafter, a phagemid was prepared from the human peripheral bloodcell Fab gene library of Example 1, and a gold-binding VL or VH wasscreened.

Example 5 Screening of Gold-Philic VL-Representing Phage Group

A VL-representing phage library was prepared according to the followingprocedure and a phage group capable of binding to gold was selected.

(1) Phagemid for VL Representing

By using a Fab library derived from human adult peripheral blood Blymphocyte as a template, VL coding gene was replicated by means of theprimers of SEQ ID Nos. 89 to 97. Furthermore, part of the N terminal ofPIII protein serving as a coat protein of M13 phage was deleted, and alibrary of VL-representing phagemid (FIG. 12B) prepared in such a mannerthat VL protein was fused and expressed was used (Biochem Biophys ResCommun. 1996, 218, pp 682).

(2) Preparation of VL Fragment Representing Phage Library 1)Transformation

1 μL of the VL coding gene library (350 ng/μL) was transformed into 40μL of Escherichia coli DH 12S through electropolation (applied voltage:1.5 KV, resistance: 186Ω, capacity: 50 μF). Next, a VL-representingphage library was prepared according to the following procedure.

2) Culture

(i) 800 μL of LB medium were added to the DH12S solution after thetransformation, and the whole was cultured with shaking at 37° C. for 1hour (140 rpm).

(ii) 20 mL of the culture solution were added to LB medium+ampicillinhaving a final concentration of 100 μg/mL (LB/amp.), and the whole wascultured at 37° C. for 3 to 4 hours.

(iii) 40 μL of M13KO7 as a helper phage were added, and the whole wascultured with shaking at 100 rpm for an additional one hour.

(iv) A 50 mg/mL kanamycin solution was added to have a finalconcentration of 50 μg/mL, and the whole was cultured with shaking at37° C. (100 rpm).

3) Collection of VL-Representing Phage Library

(i) 5 mL of a 20% PEG/500 mM NaCl were added to the culture solution,and the whole was left standing in ice for one or more hours.

(ii) The supernatant was carefully removed through centrifugation (6,500rpm×35 min).

(iii) The precipitate was suspended in 500 μL of PBS buffer to prepare aVL-representing phage solution.

4) Titer Evaluation of VL-Representing Phage Library

(i) 10 μL of JM109 glycerol stock were added to LB, and the whole wascultured with shaking at 37° C.

(ii) The VL-representing phage solution prepared in 3) was seriallydiluted with LB medium.

(iii) 10 μL of the serially diluted (×10⁻⁶ to 10⁻¹⁰) solution were addedto 750 μL of (a) the culture solution having an OD₆₀₀ of about 0.5, andthe whole was cultured with shaking at 37° C. for 1 hour.

(iv) Centrifugation (6,000 rpm×5 min) was performed to remove 700 μL ofthe culture supernatant.

(v) The remaining culture supernatant and a precipitate were suspendedby pipetting. Then, the suspension was inoculated on an LB/amp. plate,and the whole was left standing at 37° C. overnight.

(vi) The number of colonies emerged on a diluted concentration platehaving 100 or less colonies was counted and defined as a titer value ofthe VL-representing phage library.

The resultant VL-representing phage library solution: 5×10⁹ cfu/μL

(3) VL Panning Using Gold Fine Particles

The phage library solution prepared as described above and gold fineparticles (1.5 μmΦ: manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich) were used to repeat apanning operation according to the following method 5 rounds for thepurpose of selecting a phage group representing a gold-binding VL.

1) Binding Experiment

(i) 10 μL of a solution of the gold fine particles (50 mg/PBS 1 ml) andPBS+0.1% Tween 20 (PBST) were added to the phage solution (in a volumesuch that the total number of phages in the solution is 1,010 cfu) in asterilized Eppendorf tube (1.5 mL) in such a manner that the totalvolume would be 1,000 μL, and the resultant was prepared as a bindingreaction solution.

(ii) The binding reaction solution was maintained for 30 minutes whilebeing gently rotated at room temperature.

(iii) The resultant obtained in (ii) was centrifuged (10,000 rpm×5 min),and the solution supernatant was carefully discarded.

2) Washing (Washing of Non-Specific Adsorbate)

(i) 500 μL of PBST were added to the gold fine particles in theEppendorf tube, and the whole was maintained for 10 minutes while beinggently rotated at room temperature.

(ii) Centrifugation (10,000 rpm×5 min) was performed, and the washingsupernatant was carefully removed.

(iii) Each of the above (i) and (ii) was repeated 10 times.

3) Acid Elution and Titer Evaluation of Acid Eluted Fraction

The phage titer adsorbed to the gold fine particles obtained in 2) wasevaluated according to the following procedure.

3)-1 Acid Elution

(i) 115 μL of 0.2 M Gly-HCl (pH 2.2) were added to the gold fineparticles after the washing, and the whole was maintained for 1 minwhile being rotated vertically.

(ii) Centrifugation (10,000 rpm×5 min) was performed, and thesupernatant was collected as an acid eluted fraction.

(iii) The collected acid eluted fraction was neutralized by adding 15 μLof 1 M Tris-HCl.

(iv) 1 μL of the acid eluted solution after the neutralization wasserially diluted, and a titer value was measured according to the titerevaluation method.

(v) The remaining acid eluted fraction was quickly mixed with a fractionof gold fine particles, and the mixture was suspended again.

3)-2 Titer Evaluation

Titer evaluation was performed in the same manner as in (2)-3), 4) toobtain the following results.

1st round: 9.8×10² cfu2nd round: 1.0×10³ cfu3rd round: 7.8×10² cfu4th round: 1.3×10³ cfu5th round: 1.1×10⁴ cfu

4) Reinfection and Phage Amplification

Up to a fourth round, the phage group adsorbed to the gold fineparticles obtained in 3) was reinfected with Escherichia coli to amplifythe number of phages for preparing a phage solution for subsequentpanning.

(i) Escherichia coli JM109 was cultured with shaking at 37° C. (140 rpm)in 20 mL of LB medium for reinfection and phage amplification.

(ii) The suspension of the gold fine particles obtained in 3) was addedto the Escherichia coli culture solution in (a) having an OD₆₀₀ in therange of 0.3 to 0.5, and the whole was cultured with shaking at 37° C.for 1 hour (140 rpm).

(iii) Ampicillin was added to have a final concentration of 100 μg/mL,and the whole was cultured with shaking at 37° C. for 2 hours.

(iv) 40 μL of helper phage M13KO7 were added, and the whole was culturedat 37° C. for 1 hour while a shaking speed was reduced to 100 rpm.

(v) Kanamycin was added to have a final concentration of 50 μg/mL, andthe whole was cultured with shaking at 37° C. overnight.

(vi) A phage in the culture supernatant was collected by the sameoperation as those of (2)-3), 4) to prepare a phage solution.Furthermore, the phage solution was evaluated for titer values toconfirm that the phage was amplified.

The titer values obtained after amplification are shown below.

1st round: 2.4×10⁹ cfu2nd round: 8.1×10⁸ cfu3rd round: 1.8×10⁹ cfu4th round: 1.1×10¹⁰ cfu

(4) Phage ELISA

1) Preparation of Gold-Deposited Substrate for ELISA

The same 96-well titer plate (BD, polystyrene) on which gold (having athickness of 100 nm) was deposited as that of Example 2 was used as asubstrate for a phage ELISA.

2) Preparation of VL-Representing Phage Monoclone

A phagemid was collected from 11 colonies expressing on a 10⁴-folddiluted plate in the titer evaluation on a fifth round in (3)-4)according to the following procedure.

(i) Each colony was cultured at 37° C. with 20 mL of LB/amp.

(ii) 40 μL of helper phage M13KO7 were added, and the whole was culturedat 37° C. for 1 hour while a shaking speed was reduced to 100 rpm.

(iii) Kanamycin was added to have a final concentration of 50 μg/mL, andthe whole was cultured with shaking at 37° C. overnight.

(iv) A phage in the culture supernatant was collected by the sameoperation as those of (2)-3), 4) to prepare a phage solution.Furthermore, the phage solution was evaluated for titer value to confirmthat the phage was amplified.

Titer values obtained after amplification are shown below.

No. 1: 3.8×10⁹ cfu No. 2: 9.0×10⁸ cfu No. 3: 2.4×10⁹ cfu No. 4: 1.0×10⁹cfu No. 5: 9.7×10⁷ cfu No. 6: 4.4×10⁸ cfu No. 7: 6.2×10⁹ cfu No. 8:8.9×10⁷ cfu No. 9: 1.4×10⁹ cfu No. 10: 1.1×10¹⁰ cfu No. 11: 4.9×10⁹ cfu3) Preparation of Phage Solution

Each phage solution obtained in 2) was used to prepare 200 μL of each ofdilution series in which the titer value was sequentially reduced from10⁹ cfu by a factor of 10 according to the following composition.

VL-representing phage solution: x μLSuper blocking buffer (PIERCE): 20 μL

0.5% Tween 20/PBS: x/5 μL

PBS: 180-(6x/5) μL

4) ELISA

(i) 80 μL of each of the serially-diluted VL-representing phagesolutions were dispensed in a gold-deposited titer plate, and the platewas gently shaken for 1 hour in a shaker.

(ii) The phage solution was removed, 90 μL of PBST were dispensed ineach well, and the whole was stirred for 10 minutes, followed byremoving the washing supernatant. This operation was repeated 3 times.

(iii) 75 μl of a solution of HRP-Anti M13 immunoglobulin/SBB/PBS(1/1,000:1:10) were dispensed in each well, and the plate was gentlyshaken for 1 hour in a shaker.

(iv) The supernatant of the immunoglobulin solution was discarded. Next,PBST was dispensed in a volume of 90 μL/well, and the whole was stirredfor 10 min. This washing operation was repeated 3 times.

(v) Each of detection reagents 1 and 2 (Amasham BIOSCIENCE) wasdispensed in a volume of 35 μL/well, and the whole was allowed to reactwhile being gently stirred for 1 min.

(vi) The luminescence intensity of luminol was measured. No. 1, No. 2,and No. 3 having high luminescence intensities were provided asgold-binding VL-representing phage clones.

Phagemids were isolated from the above four phage clones to elucidatethe base and amino acid sequences of a gold-binding VL. Next, anexpression vector was prepared to express a protein, thereby confirmingbinding affinity on a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) gold substrate.

Example 6 Acquisition of Gold-Philic VL Protein (1) Collection ofPhagemid

A phagemid was collected from the colony corresponding to No. 7expressing on a 10⁴-fold diluted plate in the titer evaluation on thefifth round in (3)-4) of Example 5 according to the following procedure.

(i) Each colony was cultured at 37° C. overnight with 1.6 mL of LB/amp.

(ii) A phagemid was collected in accordance with a method recommended bya supplier by using a MiniPrep SV plus DNA Purification system(promega).

(2) Preparation of Expression Vector

Expression vectors expressing the above 3 kinds of VL proteins wereconstructed according to the following configurations. pRA-XX shown inFIG. 11 of Example 1 and the phagemid obtained in (1) were cleavedthrough a restriction enzyme reaction by using NcoI and NotI of each ofthem. The resultant VL fragment was inserted into pRA-XX to prepare aplasmid pRA-VLNo, n (n: clone number) expressing VL code nucleic acid asa fusion protein (FIG. 13).

(3) Expression and Purification of Protein

3 vectors for expressing VL proteins obtained as described above wereused to express VL proteins.

1) Transformation

The above expression vectors were used to transform 40 μL of BL21 (DE3)competent cell. The transformation was performed under such a conditionthat heat shock was performed in ice→42° C.×90 sec→in ice. 750 μL of LBmedium were added to the BL21 solution transformed by heat shock, andthe whole was cultured with shaking for 1 hour at 37° C. After that,centrifugation was performed at 6,000 rpm×5 min, and 650 μL of theculture supernatant were discarded. The remaining culture supernatantand a cell fraction as a precipitate were stirred and inoculated on anLB/amp. plate, and the whole was left standing at 37° C. overnight.

2) Preculture

A colony on the plate was selected at random and was cultured withshaking at 28° C. overnight in 3.0 mL of an LB/amp. medium.

3) Main Culture

The preculture solution was subcultured in 750 mL of a 2×YT medium, andthe culture was continued at 28° C. When OD₆₀₀ exceeded 0.8, IPTG wasadded to have a final concentration of 1 mM, and culture was furtherperformed at 28° C. overnight.

4) Purification (i) Ammonium Sulfate Precipitation

The culture solution obtained in 3) was centrifuged at 6,000 rpm×30 minto obtain a culture supernatant. The weight of the resultant culturesupernatant was measured. Then, ammonium sulfate in a weight of 60% ofthe weight of the culture supernatant was gradually added. Then, theresultant was stirred at 4° C. overnight.

(ii) Desalting

The solution obtained in (i) was centrifuged at 8,000 rpm×20 min, andthe supernatant was discarded. The resultant precipitate was added withand immersed in 15 mL of 20 mM Tris/500 mM NaCl (hereinafter, referredto as a Tris solution) at 4° C. overnight for dissolution. Next, theresultant solution was charged into a cellulose tube for dialysis(manufactured by Sanko Junyaku Co., Ltd.) and was dialyzed at 4° C. byusing the Tris solution as an external solution for desalting (theexternal solution was changed every 6 hours).

(iii) Metal Chelate Column

A His-Bind (manufactured by Novagen) was used as a metal chelate columncarrier. Column adjustment, sample loading, and a washing step wereperformed at 4° C. in accordance with the method recommended by thesupplier. Elution of a His tag-fused VL protein as a target wasperformed with a 500 mM imidazole/Tris solution.

SDS-PAGE (acrylamide 15%) of the eluent confirmed that the eluent had asingle band and was purified. The eluent was dialyzed again by using theTris solution as an external solution to remove imidazole in the eluent.Furthermore, buffer substitution was performed by changing the externalsolution to a phosphate buffer (hereinafter, referred to as PBS) toprepare a VL protein solution for SPR.

Example 7 SPR Measurement

The binding affinity of the VL protein obtained in Example 6 for goldwas measured by means of SPR.

A BIAcore 2000 (manufactured by BIAcore) was used as an SPR measuringdevice. A gold-deposited glass substrate SIA-kit Au of the same companywas used as a gold substrate to which the protein was to be bound.

Measurement was performed under the following conditions.

Running buffer: PBST

Temperature: 25° C.

Flow rate: 20 μL/minSample: VL protein/PBSTInjection amount: 20 μL

A binding curve in which the binding affinity was confirmed was obtained(FIG. 9).

Example 8 Determination of Base and Amino Acid Sequences of VL Protein

The DNA sequence of the VL No, 7 obtained as described above wasdetermined in accordance with the following method.

A primer for sequencing was set at a pelB sequence portion placedupstream of the VL coding gene. The primer for sequencing was asfollows. pelB-back

(SEQ ID No: 88)

5′-ccgct ggatt gttat tactc gc-3′

A BigDye-PCR reaction was performed by using the above primer in thesame manner as in Example 2 and a sequencing reaction kit and a reactionsolution composition recommended by a supplier. A temperature cycle was96° C.×3 min→(94° C.×1 min→50° C.×1 min→68° C.×4 min)×30 cycle→4° C.Next, the base sequence of the PCR product purified through ethanolprecipitation was determined by means of a sequencer (377 manufacturedby ABI). The following result was obtained. No. 7 had the same basesequence as that of SEQ ID No: 76 of Example 12.

Example 9 Screening of Gold-Philic VH-Representing Phage Group

A VH-representing phage library was prepared according to the followingprocedure to select a phage group having a binding affinity for gold.

(1) Phagemid for Representing VH

A Fab library derived from human adult peripheral blood B lymphocyte wasused as a template in the same manner as in Example 1, and the primersof SEQ ID Nos. 80 to 89 were used in the same manner as in Example 1.Thus, VH coding gene was replicated. Furthermore, part of the N terminalof PIII protein serving as a coat protein of M13 phage was deleted, anda library of VH-representing phagemid (FIG. 12A) prepared in such amanner that VH protein was fused and expressed was used.

(2) Preparation of VH-Representing Phage Library

A VH-representing phage library was prepared in the same manner as in(2) of Example 5 except that the product obtained in (1) was used. Theresultant VH-representing phage library solution: 1×10⁹ cfu/μL.

(3) VH Panning Using Gold Fine Particles

Panning for selecting a phage group representing a gold-binding VH wasperformed in the same manner as in (3) of Example 5 except that thephage library solution prepared in (2) above was used.

1) Binding Experiment

Hereinafter, 2) Washing and 3) Acid elution and titer evaluation similarto those of Example 5 were performed.

1st round: 9.8×10² cfu2nd round: 1.0×10³ cfu3rd round: 7.8×10² cfu

4) Reinfection and Phage Amplification

Reinfection and phage amplification were performed in the same manner asin Example 5. Titer values obtained after amplification are shown below.

1st round: 2.4×10⁹ cfu2nd round: 8.1×10⁸ cfu

(4) Phage ELISA 1) Preparation of Gold-Deposited Substrate for ELISA

The same substrate as that of Example 5 was used as a substrate forphage ELISA.

2) Preparation of VL-Representing Phage Monoclone

A phagemid was collected from 20 colonies expressing on a 10⁴-folddiluted plate in the titer evaluation on a third round in the VH panningoperation in the same manner as in Example 1. The titer values of theresultant VH-representing phage monoclone solutions are shown below.

No. 1: 3.8×10⁹ cfu No. 2: 9.0×10⁸ cfu No. 3: 2.4×10⁹ cfu No. 4: 1.0×10⁹cfu No. 5: 9.7×10⁷ cfu No. 6: 4.4×10⁸ cfu No. 7: 6.2×10⁹ cfu No. 8:8.9×10⁷ cfu No. 9: 1.4×10⁹ cfu No. 10: 1.1×10¹⁰ cfu No. 11: 4.9×10⁹ cfuNo. 12: 9.0×10⁸ cfu No. 13: 2.4×10⁹ cfu No. 14: 1.0×10⁹ cfu No. 15:9.7×10⁷ cfu No. 16: 4.4×10⁸ cfu No. 17: 6.2×10⁹ cfu No. 18: 8.9×10⁷ cfuNo. 19: 1.4×10⁹ cfu No. 20: 1.1×10¹⁰ cfu 3) Preparation of PhageSolution

Each phage solution obtained in 2) was used to prepare 200 μL of each ofdilution series in which the titer value was sequentially reduced from10⁹ cfu by a factor of 10 according to the following composition.

VL-representing phage solution: x μLSoluble VL solution (50 ng): x μLSuper blocking buffer (PIERCE): 20 μL

0.5% Tween 20/PBS: x/5 μL

PBS: 179−(6x/5) μL

4) Phage ELISA

Phage ELISA was performed by the same operation as that of Example 1.Three clones each having a luminescence intensity higher than that of aVH library solution for comparison were provided as gold-bindingVH-representing phage clones (Nos. 2, 4, and 6).

Example 10 Acquisition of Gold-Philic VH Protein

Phagemids were isolated from the above three phage clones, and thentheir expression vectors were prepared to express a protein, therebyconfirming binding affinity on a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) goldsubstrate. Furthermore, the base and amino acid sequences of each ofthose gold-binding VH were elucidated.

(1) Collection of Phagemid

A phagemid was collected from the colony corresponding to 15 clonesexpressing on a 10⁴-fold diluted plate in the titer evaluation on thethird round according to the following procedure.

(a) Each colony was cultured at 37° C. overnight in 1.6 mL of LB/amp.

(b) A phagemid was collected in accordance with a method recommended bya supplier by using a MiniPreps SV plus DNA Purification system(promega).

(2) Preparation of Expression Vector

Expression vectors expressing the above 3 kinds of VL proteins wereconstructed according to the following configurations.

pUT-XX was prepared by changing a multicloning site of PET-15b(Novagen). The PUT-XX and the phagemid obtained in (1) above werecleaved through a restriction enzyme reaction by using NcoI and NotI ofeach of them. The resultant VH fragment was inserted into PUT-XX toprepare a plasmid pRA-7sn (n: phage clone number described above)expressing VH coding nucleic acid as a fusion protein (FIG. 14).

(3) Expression and Purification of Protein

3 kinds of VHs (7s2, 7s4, and 7s6) were acquired by performing the aboveprocedure (treating the expression vectors in the step of proteinexpression and purification described below in an individual system).

1) Transformation

The above 2 expression vectors were used to transform 40 μL of differentBL21 (DE3) competent cell solutions. The transformation was performedunder such a condition that heat shock was performed in ice→42° C.×90sec→in ice. 750 μL of LB medium were added to the BL21 solutiontransformed by heat shock, and the whole was cultured with shaking for 1hour at 37° C. After that, centrifugation was performed at 6,000 rpm×5min, and 650 μL of the culture supernatant were discarded. The remainingculture supernatant and a cell fraction as a precipitate were stirredand inoculated on an LB/amp. plate, and the whole was left standing at37° C. overnight.

2) Preculture

A colony on the plate was selected at random and was cultured withshaking at 28° C. overnight with 3.0 mL of an LB/amp. medium.

3) Main Culture

The preculture solution was subcultured in 750 mL of a 2×YT medium, andthe culture was further continued at 28° C. When OD₆₀₀ exceeded 0.8,IPTG was added to have a final concentration of 1 mM, and culture wasperformed at 28° C. overnight.

4) Purification

A target polypeptide chain was purified from an insoluble granulefraction through the following steps.

(i) Collection of Insoluble Granule

The culture solution obtained in 3) above was centrifuged at 6,000rpm×30 min to obtain a precipitate as a bacterial fraction. Theresultant was suspended in a Tris solution (20 mM Tris/500 mM NaCl) inice. The resultant suspension was homogenized with a French press toobtain a homogenized solution. Next, the homogenized solution wascentrifuged at 12,000 rpm×15 min, and the supernatant was removed toobtain a precipitate as an insoluble granule fraction.

(ii) Solubilization of Insoluble Granule Fraction

The insoluble fraction obtained in (i) was added with and immersedovernight in 10 mL of a 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/Tris solution. Next,the resultant was centrifuged at 12,000 rpm×10 min to obtain asupernatant as a solubilized solution.

(iii) Metal Chelate Column

A His-Bind (manufactured by Novagen) was used as a metal chelate columncarrier. Column adjustment, sample loading, and a washing step wereperformed at room temperature (20° C.) in accordance with the methodrecommended by the supplier. Elution of a His tag-fused VL polypeptideas a target was performed in a 60 mM imidazole/Tris solution. SDS-PAGE(acrylamide 15%) of the eluent confirmed that the eluent had a singleband and was purified.

(iv) Dialysis

The eluent was dialyzed by using a 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/Trissolution as an external solution at 4° C. to remove imidazole in theeluent, thereby obtaining the above polypeptide chain solutions.

(v) Refolding

In the same manner as that described above, the polypeptide chainsolutions of VHg-VLh and VHh-VLg were separately dialyzed according tothe following steps for removing guanidine hydrochloride (4° C.) toperform refolding of a protein.

a) A sample having a concentration of 7.5 μM (volume after dilution of10 ml) was prepared by using a 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/Tris solutionon the basis of the molar absorbance coefficient and ΔO.D. (280 nm-320nm) level of each polypeptide chain. Next, β-mercaptoethanol (reductant)was added to have a final concentration of 375 μM (50-fold proteinconcentration) for reduction at room temperature in a dark room for 4hours. The sample solution was charged into a dialysis bag (MWCO:14,000) and provided as a sample for dialysis.b) The sample for dialysis was immersed in a 6 M guanidinehydrochloride/Tris solution as an external solution, and was dialyzedfor 6 hours while being gently stirred.c) The concentration of the guanidine hydrochloride solution of theexternal solution was reduced to 3 M and then to 2 M in a stepwisemanner. The sample was dialyzed at each concentration of the externalsolution for 6 hours.d) The Tris solution was added with oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to havea final concentration of 375 μM and with L-Arg to have a finalconcentration of 0.4 M), and then was added with the 2 M dialysisexternal solution in 3) above to have a guanidine hydrochlorideconcentration of 1 M. The sample was dialyzed in the external solutionwhose pH had been adjusted to 8.0 (4° C.) with NaOH for 12 hours whilebeing gently stirred.e) An L-Arg Tris solution having a guanidine hydrochloride concentrationof 0.5 M was prepared by the same operation as that of d), and dialysiswas performed for an additional 12 hours.f) Finally, dialysis was performed for 12 hours in a Tris solution.After the completion of the dialysis 7), centrifugation was performed at10,000 rpm for about 20 min to separate an aggregate and a supernatant.

The 3 kinds of VH solutions obtained as described above were subjectedto buffer substitution by changing the external solution to a phosphatebuffer (hereinafter, referred to as PBS) to prepare VH protein solutionfor SPR.

Example 11 SPR Measurement

The binding affinity of the VH protein obtained in Example 10 for goldwas measured by means of SPR in the same manner as in Example 7. Abinding curve in which the binding affinity was confirmed was obtainedfor each of 7s2, 7s4, and 7s6. FIG. 10 shows the representativeexamples). The following K_(D)'S were obtained by curve fitting.

7s2: K_(D)=5.0×10 M⁻⁸7s4: K_(D)=8.0×10 M⁻⁹7s6: K_(D)=3.0×10 M⁻⁷

Example 12 Determination of Base and Amino Acid Sequences of VH Protein

The DNA sequence of each of the three VH-representing phagemids obtainedas described above was determined in the same manner as in Example 2. Aprimer for sequencing was set at a pelB sequence portion placed upstreamof the VH coding gene. The primer for sequencing as that of Example 2was used, and analysis was performed according to the same procedure toobtain three different sequences. Those sequences obtained in Example 10corresponded to SEQ ID Nos.: 59 to 61.

Example 13 Gold-Binding Experiment on VH/VL Composite by Means of SPR

A PBST solution containing 50 nM of each of the VL clone No. 7 obtainedin Example 6 and the VH clone: 7s2 obtained in Example 10 was preparedand preserved at 4° C. for one day. SPR measurement was performed byusing the mixed solution in the same manner as in Example 7. As aresult, binding affinity for gold was confirmed at a lower concentrationthan that of Example 7 or Example 11. This result suggests that mixingof the clones forms a complex (Fv) to increase binding affinity owing toits stabilized structure (FIG. 3).

Example 14 Acquisition of Gold-Binding scFv

An scFv composed of the VL clone: No. 7 obtained in Example 6 and the VHclone: 7s2 obtained in Example 10 was prepared according to thefollowing procedure.

(1) Preparation of Expression Vector

An expression vector which could express a fusion protein, which couldbe continuously translated from VL (No. 7) coding gene, linker(GGGGS)×3, VH (7s4) coding gene, and His×6 (hereinafter, referred to asHis tag).

A specific preparation method is shown in FIG. 15.

The following primers were used.

scFv-B (SEQ ID No: 117)5′-NNNNNCCATGGCCGGGGGCGGGGGCAGCGGGGGCGGGGGCAGCGGGGGCGGGGGCAGCCAGGTGCAGTTGGTGGAGTCT-3′ scFv-F (SEQ ID No: 118)5′-NNNNNCCGCGGAACCATTCAGATCCTCTTCT-3′

(2) Expression and Purification of Protein

Hereinafter, the vector for expressing an scFv protein obtained asdescribed above was used to express and purify an scFv protein.

1) Protein Expression

The above expression vector was used to transform Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and culture was performed by using a 2×YT medium at 28° C.Expression was induced with IPTG having a final concentration of 1 mM atO.D.₆₀₀=about 0.8, and the resultant was cultured with shakingovernight. The bacterial body was centrifuged at 6,000 rpm×20 min toobtain a culture supernatant fraction and a bacterial fraction. Thosesamples were electrophoresed according to a conventionally known methodby means of SDS-PAGE to confirm the expression amount of a targetprotein. The result showed that secretion into the culture supernatantfraction was extremely small. In view of the above, in order to purifythe target protein from the bacterial fraction, a sample was preparedaccording to the following procedure. First, the bacterial body wasresuspended in 15 mL of PBS, the suspension was further added with 25 mLof PBS, and the mixture was homogenized by means of a French press. Theresultant homogenized solution was centrifuged at 12,000 rpm×15 min toobtain a precipitate fraction as insoluble granules. The resultantinsoluble granules were immersed in a 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/Trissolution overnight and solubilized to obtain a sample for metal chelatecolumn.

2) Purification by Metal Chelate Column

A 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/5 mM imidazole/Tris solution was used as arunning buffer, and purification was performed in the same manner as inExample 2 except that: the imidazole concentration at the time ofelution was set to 100 mM; and a developing temperature was set at roomtemperature (20° C.)

3) Dialysis

The eluted fraction obtained in 2) was charged into a cellulose tube fordialysis (manufactured by Sanko Junyaku Co., Ltd.) and was dialyzed at4° C. by using a 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/1 mM EDTA/Tris solution asan external solution (the external solution was changed every 6 hours).

4) Reconstruction of Protein

An scFv solution obtained in 3) was adjusted with Tris solution to 7.5μM to be provided as a sample. An scFv structure was reconstructed whilethe guanidine hydrochloride concentration gradually in the internalsolution was reduced by reducing the glycin hydrochloride concentrationin the external solution with respect to the above solution.

(a) A sample having a concentration of 7.5 μM of a molar absorbancecoefficient and of an O.D. (280 nm) estimated from the amino acidsequence of the target protein was prepared by using a 6 M guanidinehydrochloride/Tris solution.(b) Next, β-mercaptoethanol (reductant) was added to have a finalconcentration of 375 μM, followed by reduction at room temperature in adark room for 4 hours.(c) The sample was charged into the same dialysis bag as that describedabove, and the whole was placed in an external solution (a 6 M guanidinehydrochloride/Tris solution) and dialyzed at 4° C. for about 6 hours.(d) The external solution was changed twice thereafter every 6 hours. Atthe time of such change, the sample was dialyzed while the concentrationof the guanidine hydrochloride solution of the external solution wasreduced to 3 M and then to 2 M in a stepwise manner.(e) Next, the Tris solution was added with oxidized glutathione (GSSG)to have a final concentration of 375 μM and with L-Arg to have a finalconcentration of 0.4 M), and then was added with the dialysis externalsolution (2 M) in (d) above to have a guanidine hydrochlorideconcentration of 1 M. The sample was dialyzed in an external solutionwhose pH had been adjusted to 8.0 (at 4° C.) with NaOH for about 12hours.(f) A 0.5 M guanidine hydrochloride/Tris solution was prepared by thesame operation as that of (e), and dialysis was performed at 4° C. forabout 12 hours.(g) Finally, dialysis was performed 4° C. for about 12 hours while theexternal solution was changed to in a Tris solution.(h) After the completion of the dialysis, the resultant was centrifugedat 10,000 rpm for about 20 min to separate an aggregation fraction and asupernatant fraction. The supernatant fraction was subjected to SDS-PAGEelectrophoresis to confirm that the target protein was made soluble inthe supernatant fraction. As a result, an scFv having the No. 7 clone inVL and 7s2 in VH was acquired.

Example 15 Evaluation of scFv for Binding Affinity for Gold by Means ofSPR

The binding affinity of the scFv protein obtained in Example 14 for goldwas measured by means of SPR in the same manner as in Example 8. Abinding curve showing binding affinity for gold was obtained (FIG. 17).

Example 16 Confirmation of Au Specificity

Gold specificity of the scFv protein obtained in Example 15 wasconfirmed. Gold was deposited in a circular pattern having a size of 70μm (having a thickness of 50 nm) on a silicon substrate measuring 3 mm×5mm as a substrate for confirmation. The surface of the substrate wassequentially immersed in isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and hydrochloricacid for 10 min for each of the solutions for surface washing (thesurface was washed with deionized water and dried every time thesolution was changed). The substrate was immersed in a solution preparedby adjusting the scFv solution obtained in Example 6 to 1 μM for 1 hour.Subsequently, the substrate was washed while being gently stirred for 10min in PBST. This operation was repeated 3 times and then a washingsolution was discarded. Next, the substrate was immersed in a 100 nManti-His tag antibody/PBST solution while being gently stirred in thesolution for 1 hour. Subsequently, the substrate was washed while beinggently stirred for 10 min in PBST. This operation was repeated 3 timesand then a washing solution was discarded. Furthermore, the substratewas immersed in a 100 μM rhodopsin-binding anti-IGg antibody/PBSTsolution while being gently stirred in the solution for 1 hour.Subsequently, the substrate was washed while being gently stirred for 10min in PBST. This operation was repeated 3 times and then a washingsolution was discarded. After that, the substrate was observed with afluorescence microscope. As a result, fluorescence was observed in acircular portion on which gold was deposited, and no fluorescence wasobserved in a silicon portion. Therefore, gold specificity of scFvobtained in Example 15 was confirmed.

Comparative Example 1

The gold-deposited silicon substrate was treated by the same operationas that of Example 16 except that the substrate was treated with 1 μMscFv. The substrate was observed with a fluorescence microscope, withthe result that no fluorescence was observed in each of a siliconportion and a circular portion on which gold was deposited.

Example 17 Preparation of Silicon Oxide-Philic Peptide-FusedGold-Binding Protein

A protein having a silicon oxide-philic peptide IPHVHHKHPHV on the Cterminal of the scFv of the above example was prepared according to thefollowing steps.

(1) Preparation of Expression Vector

(a) The pUT-scFv (VL#No, 7×7s4) obtained in the above example (Example14) was templated to perform PCR by using the following primers.

SiscFv-B (SEQ ID No: 119) 5′-NNNNNCCATGGCCCAGGTGCAGTTGGTGGAGT-3′SiscFv-F (SEQ ID No: 120)5′-NNNNNCCGCGGCACGTGGGGGTGCTTGTGGTGCACGTGCATGGGGATAACCATTCAGATCCTCTTCT-3′

PCR was performed by using a commercially available PCR kit (TAKARA BIOINC, LA-Tag kit) in accordance with a protocol recommended by asupplier.

(b) The resultant PCR product was subjected to 2% agaroseelectrophoresis. Next, about 400 bp of PCR fragments were obtained fromthe gel through rough purification by using a gel extraction kit(Promega). The sequence confirmed that the fragments had a target basesequence.(c) pUT-scFv (7s4) and the PCR fragments obtained in (b) above werecleaved by using NotI/SacII. Next, agarose electrophoresis was performedto purify the target fragments on each of a Vector side and an Insertside.(d) The purified nucleic acid fragments obtained in (c) above were mixedat a ratio of Vector:Insert=1:5, and then a ligation reaction wasperformed in the same manner as in Example 1.

Hereinafter, transformation, collection of plasmids, and confirmation ofinserts were performed in the same manner as in Example 6.

(3) Expression and Purification of Protein

The expression and purification of a protein were performed in the samemanner as in Example 10 by using the plasmids for expression obtained asdescribed above, to thereby obtain a target protein.

Example 18 Acquisition of Gold- and HEL-Binding Protein (1) Adjustmentof Gold-Binding VH Code Nucleic Acid Fragment

The following primers

gVH-B (SEQ ID No: 121) 5′-NNNNN CCATGG CCGAC CAGG TGCAG TTGGT GGAGTCT-3′ gVH-F (SEQ ID No: 122) 5′NNNNN GCTAG C GGAGA CGG TGACCAGGGT-3′were used in order to prepare a gold-binding VH (hereinafter, referredto as VHg) for introducing a vector having a restriction enzyme NcoIcleavage site arranged on a 5′ terminal side of a gold-binding VH (SEQID No: 61) and a restriction enzyme NheI arranged on a 3′ terminal sidethereof. Then, PCR was performed by using a commercially available PCRkit at a proportion recommended by a supplier to obtain about 350 bp ofbase pairs. The above VHB-F was used to perform a BigDye-PCR reaction byusing a commercially available sequencing reaction kit and a reactionsolution composition. A temperature cycle was set to 96° C.×3 min→(94°C.×1 min→50° C.×1 min→˜68° C.×4 min)×30 cycle→4° C. to confirm thatfragments each having a base sequence encoding a target VH wereobtained.

(2) Adjustment of Gold-Binding VL Code Nucleic Acid Fragments

Nucleic acid fragments were obtained in the same manner as in (1) exceptthat the following primers

gVL-B (SEQ ID No: 123) NNNNN GCTAGC GGTGGCGGTGGCTCT GAAATTGTGTTGACGCAGTCT, and gVL-F (SEQ ID No: 124) NNNNN CCGCG GCACG TTTAA TCTCCAGTCG TGTwere used in order to prepare a gold-binding VL (hereinafter, referredto as VLg) (SEQ ID No: 99) for inserting a vector having the restrictionenzyme NheI cleavage site and a nucleic acid encoding a linker (GGGGS)arranged on a 5′ terminal side of a gold-binding VL (SEQ ID No: 76) andHis×6 and a restriction enzyme SacII cleavage site arranged on a 3′terminal side thereof, to thereby confirm that the fragments each havinga base sequence of a target VL were obtained.

(3) Adjustment of HEL-Binding VH Code Nucleic Acid Fragments

Nucleic acid fragments were obtained in the same manner as in (1) exceptthat the following primers

hVH-B (SEQ ID No: 126) 5′-NNNNN CCATGG CCGAC GATATCCAGCTGCAGGAGTCGGGCCC-3′, and hVH-F (SEQ ID No: 127) 5′NNNNN GCTAG C GGAGA CGG TGACGTCTGT-3were used in order to prepare a HEL-binding VH (hereinafter, referred toas VHh) for introducing a vector having a restriction enzyme NcoIcleavage site arranged on a 5′ terminal side of a HEL-binding VH (SEQ IDNo: 125) and a restriction enzyme NheI arranged on a 3′ terminal sidethereof, to thereby confirm that the fragments had a base sequence ofthe target VL.

(4) Adjustment of HEL-Binding VL Code Nucleic Acid Fragments

Nucleic acid fragments were obtained in the same manner as in (1) exceptthat the following primers

hVL-B (SEQ ID No: 129) NNNNNGCTAGCGGTGGCGGTGCCTCTGATATCGTCCTGACCCAGAG,and hVL-F (SEQ ID No: 130) NNNNN CCGCG GCCTT GATCT CCAGC TTGGT GCwere used in order to prepare an HEL-binding VL (hereinafter, referredto as VLh) for introducing a vector having the restriction enzyme NheIcleavage site and a nucleic acid encoding a linker (GGGGS) arranged on a5′ terminal side of an HEL-binding VL (SEQ ID No: 128) and His×6 and therestriction enzyme SacII cleavage site arranged on a 3′ terminal sidethereof, to thereby confirm that the fragments had a base sequence ofthe target VL.

Example 19 Preparation of Expression Vector

The above 4 kinds of nucleic acid fragments were used to constitute 2expression vectors according to the following configurations.

(1) Preparation of Vector for Expressing VHg-VLh (pGHEL) (FIG. 15)

(i) Insertion of VHg

The plasmid pUT-XX was cleaved with restriction enzyme NcoI/NheI (eachmanufactured by New England Biolabs) and subjected to spin column 400HR(Amasham Science). Next, VHg was similarly cleaved with the restrictionenzyme NcoI/NheI, and the cleaved fragments were purified by using acommercially available gel purification kit (SV Gel and PCR Clean-upsystem: Promega). The above 2 fragments were mixed with a commerciallyavailable T4 ligase kit (Roche) in accordance with a method recommendedby a supplier, followed by ligation.

The ligation solution was transformed into 40 μL of JM109 competent cell(Promega) by means of heat shock. The resultant was inoculated on anLB/ampicillin (amp.) plate, and the whole was left standing at 37° C.overnight.

Next, an arbitrary colony on the plate was subcultured in 3 mL of aliquid medium, and the whole was cultured with shaking at 37° C.overnight. After that, plasmids were collected by using a commerciallyavailable MiniPreps kit (Plus Minipreps DNA Purification System:Promega).

The base sequence of the resultant plasmid was confirmed by means of thesequence method by using gVH-F. Thus, it was confirmed that the targetfragments were inserted.

(ii) Insertion of VLH

The plasmid pUT-VHg obtained in 1) above was cleaved with a restrictionenzyme NheI/SacII and subjected to spin column 400HR (Amasham Science).Next, VLh was similarly cleaved with the restriction enzyme NheI/SacII.Next, ligation was performed in the same manner as in (a) above toconfirm that a plasmids for expressing VHg-VLH were obtained (the primerfor confirmation was hVL-F).

(2) Preparation of Vector for Expressing VHh-VLg (pHGOLD) (FIG. 16)(iii) Insertion of VHh

VHh was inserted into a plasmid pUT in the same manner as in (i) aboveto confirm that the resultant plasmids were the target plasmids (theprimer for confirmation was hVH-F).

(iv) Insertion of VLg

VLg was inserted into the plasmids obtained in (iii) above in the samemanner as in (b) above to confirm that the resultant plasmids were thetarget vector pHGOLD for expressing VHH-VLg in the same manner as in 1)(the primer for confirmation was gVL-F).

Example 20 Expression and Purification of Protein

Expression vectors for expressing the polypeptides of VHg-VLh obtainedin (ii) of Example 19 and of VHh-VLg obtained in (iv) of Example 19 weretreated in individual systems in a step of expressing and purifying aprotein to be described later, and were obtained as polypeptide chainsVHg-VLh and VHh-VLg.

1) Transformation

The above expression vectors were used to transform different 40 μL ofBL21 (DE3) competent cell solutions. The transformation was performedunder such a condition that heat shock was performed in ice→42° C.×90sec→in ice. 750 μL of LB medium were added to the BL21 solutiontransformed by heat shock, and the whole was cultured with shaking for 1hour at 37° C. After that, centrifugation was performed at 6,000 rpm×5min, and 650 μL of the culture supernatant were discarded. The remainingculture supernatant and a cell fraction as a precipitate were stirredand inoculated on an LB/amp. plate, and the whole was left standing at37° C. overnight.

2) Preculture

A colony on the plate was selected at random and was cultured withshaking at 28° C. overnight with 3.0 mL of an LB/amp. medium.

3) Main Culture

The preculture solution was subcultured in 750 mL of a 2×YT medium, andthe culture was continued at 28° C. When OD₆₀₀ exceeded 0.8, IPTG wasadded to have a final concentration of 1 mM, and culture was performedat 28° C. overnight.

4) Purification

A target polypeptide chain was purified from an insoluble granulefraction through the following step.

(i) Collection of Insoluble Granule

The culture solution obtained in 3) above was centrifuged at 6,000rpm×30 min to obtain a precipitate as a bacterial fraction. Theresultant was suspended in 15 ml of a Tris solution (20 mM Tris/500 mMNaCl) in ice. The resultant suspension was homogenized with a Frenchpress to obtain a bacterial homogenized solution. Next, the bacterialhomogenized solution was centrifuged at 12,000 rpm×15 min, and thesupernatant was removed to obtain a precipitate as an insoluble granulefraction.

(ii) Solubilization of Insoluble Granule Fraction

The insoluble fraction obtained in (i) above was added with and immersedin 10 mL of a 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/Tris solution overnight. Next,the resultant was centrifuged at 12,000 rpm×10 min to obtain asupernatant as a solubilized solution.

(iii) Metal Chelate Column

A His-Bind (manufactured by Novagen) was used as a metal chelate columncarrier. Column adjustment, sample loading, and a washing step wereperformed at room temperature (20° C.) in accordance with the methodrecommended by the supplier. Elution of a His tag-fused polypeptide as atarget was performed in a 60 mM imidazole/Tris solution. SDS-PAGE(acrylamide 15%) of the eluent confirmed that the eluent had a singleband and was purified.

(iv) Dialysis

The eluent was dialyzed by using a 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/Trissolution as an external solution at 4° C. to remove imidazole in theeluent, thereby obtaining the above each polypeptide chain solution.

(v) Refolding

In the same manner as that described above, the polypeptide chainsolutions of VHg-VLh and VHh-VLg were separately dialyzed (4° C.)according to the following steps by using dehydrochlorinated guanidineto perform refolding of the protein.

(a) A sample having a concentration of 7.5 μM (volume after dilution of10 ml) was prepared by using a 6 M guanidine hydrochloride/Tris solutionon the basis of the molar absorbance coefficient and ΔO.D. (280 nm-320nm) of each polypeptide chain. Next, β-mercaptoethanol (reductant) wasadded to have a final concentration of 375 μM (50-fold proteinconcentration), followed by reduction at room temperature in a dark roomfor 4 hours. The sample solution was charged into a dialysis bag (NWCO:14,000) and provided as a sample for dialysis.(b) The sample for dialysis was immersed in a 6 M guanidinehydrochloride/Tris solution as an external solution, and was dialyzedfor 6 hours while being gently stirred.(c) The guanidine hydrochloride solution of the external solution wasreduced to 3 M and then to 2 M in a stepwise manner. The sample wasdialyzed at each concentration of the external solution for 6 hours.(d) The Tris solution was added with oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to havea final concentration of 375 μM and with L-Arg to have a finalconcentration of 0.4 M), and then was added with the 2 M dialysisexternal solution in (c) above to have a guanidine hydrochlorideconcentration of 1 M. The sample was dialyzed in a solution whose pH hadbeen adjusted to 8.0 (4° C.) with NaOH for 12 hours while being gentlystirred.(e) An L-Arg Tris solution having a guanidine hydrochlorideconcentration of 0.5 M was prepared by the same operation as that of(d), and dialysis was performed for an additional 12 hours.(f) Finally, dialysis was performed for 12 hours in a Tris solution.(g) After the completion of the dialysis, centrifugation was performedat 10,000 rpm for about 20 min to separate an aggregation and asupernatant.

(vi) Purification of Dimerized Fraction

The respective 5 μM polypeptide (VHg-VLh, VHh-VLg) solutions obtained in(v) above were mixed and left standing at 4° C. overnight. Next, afraction corresponding to 60 kDa (about 18 minutes from the injection)dimerized in a Sephadex 75 column (column: buffer 20 mM Tris, 500 mMNaCl, flow rate: 1 ml/min) was obtained. This was provided as a samplefor SPR measurement.

Example 21 Evaluation of Binding Affinity for Gold Through SPRMeasurement

The binding affinity of the dimerized protein fraction obtained inExample 20 for gold was measured by means of SPR. A BIAcore 2000(manufactured by BIAcore) was used as an SPR measuring device. Agold-deposited glass substrate SIA-kit Au of the same company was usedas a gold substrate (to which the fraction was to be bound). Measurementwas performed under the following conditions. 500 nM (calculated fromthe absorbance as described above) of the dimerized protein fractionobtained in Example 15 were used as a sample.

Running buffer: 0.1% Tween 20/Tris solution:TBST

Temperature: 25° C.

Flow rate: 20 μL/minSample injection amount: 40 μL

A binding curve showing the binding affinity for gold was obtained (FIG.18).

Example 22 Evaluation of Binding Affinity to HEL Through SPR Measurement

Subsequent to the sample subjected to SPR evaluation of binding affinityfor gold in Example 21, a 1 μM HEL solution was continuously injected tomeasure binding affinity of the gold-bound dimerized protein fraction toHEL by means of SPR. A binding curve showing the binding affinity to HELwas obtained (FIG. 18).

Example 23 Confirmation of Au Specificity

The gold substrate of an SPR chip obtained in Example 22 to which thegold-binding protein and HEL were bound was used to subsequently performthe following experiment. The gold substrate described above wasinjected with a 1 μM anti-HEL antibody/PBST solution. After that, thesubstrate was washed with PBST. Furthermore, the substrate was injectedwith a 1 μM rhodopsin-binding anti-IGg antibody/PBST solution. Afterthat, the substrate was washed with PBST. The SPR chip described abovewas removed from an SPR device, and the substrate was observed with afluorescence microscope. As a result, fluorescence was observed on aflow path of SPR on the gold substrate.

Comparative Example 2

The same operation as that of Example 23 was performed by using anunused gold-deposited substrate. As a result, no fluorescence wasobserved on the gold substrate.

Example 24

A rewound polypeptide chain VHg-VLh obtained through the steps as thoseof (i) to (v) in Example 20 was prepared, and a 5 μM VHg-VLh/Trissolution was obtained.

Example 25

The VHg-VLh/Tris solution obtained in Example 24 was diluted with a Trissolution to 500 nM, and the binding affinity to the gold substrate wasevaluated in the same manner as in Example 20. Furthermore, a 1 μM HELsolution was continuously injected to measure the binding affinity ofthe gold-bound dimerized protein fraction to HEL. A binding curveshowing binding affinity for gold and HEL was obtained.

Example 26

In Example 25, a 0.5 μM anti-HEL antibody VL/Tris solution was allowedto coexist, and the whole was left standing overnight to prepare asample.

Example 27

The sample prepared in Example 26 was evaluated for binding affinity tothe gold substrate by means of SPR in the same manner as in Example 15.Furthermore, in the same manner as in Example 16, a 1 μM HEL wascontinuously injected to measure binding affinity to the sample by meansof SPR. A binding curve showing the binding affinity was obtained.

Example 28 Preparation of HEL Detecting Immunochromatography Device

An immunochromatography device for detecting HEL was prepared as anexample of detecting method of the present invention.

1) Preparation of Porous Carrier for Immunochromatography on whichAnti-HEL Antibody is Immobilized

A nitrocellulose sheet (BAS-85, manufactured by Schleicher & Schuell)was cut into a piece measuring 5 mm×30 mm. A 0.5 mg/mL of an anti-HELantibody solution (manufactured by Nippon Biotest Labo) was linearlyapplied at a position 10 mm away from the end of the piece in an amountof 0.5 mg/mL, to thereby prepare a detection site. The sheet was leftstanding at room temperature for 2 hours to dry the liquid, whereby theantibody was fixed as a sheet. The sheet was shaken for 2 hours in a 1%skim milk (manufactured by Difco)/PBST solution and blocked. After that,the sheet was left standing at room temperature to prepare a carrier forimmunochromatography.

2) Preparation of Gold-Labeled Anti-HEL Antibody Fragment and Hold-BackCarrier

(i) Preparation of Gold-Labeled Anti-HEL Antibody Fragment

The fragment of this title was prepared according to the following stepby using the gold/HEL bispecific antibody fragments prepared in Example20.

A dispersion of gold fine particles (particle size 50 nm, manufacturedby Tanaka Kikinzoku) was added and sufficiently mixed with the gold/HELbispecific antibody fragments prepared in Example 20, and a reaction wasperformed at room temperature for 3 hours. The resultant was centrifugedat 12,000 rpm for 5 min in order to remove unreacted gold/HEL bispecificantibody fragments, and then the supernatant was removed to obtain aprecipitate. The resultant precipitate was suspended in 1.0 mL of PBST.Furthermore, centrifugation was performed under the above conditions.The resultant precipitate was suspended in 1.0 mL of 1% BSA/PBST.

(ii) Preparation of Gold-Labeled Anti-HEL Antibody Fragment-HoldingCarrier

A Bemliese non-woven fabric (manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation)measuring 5 mm×5 mm was impregnated with 5 μL of the gold-labeledanti-HEL antibody fragment solution and 5 μL of a 10% aqueous solutionof various bases, and was air-dried to prepare a gold-labeled anti-HELantibody fragment-holding carrier.

3) Preparation of Test Piece-Type Immunochromatography Device

The gold-labeled anti-HEL antibody fragment-holding carrier prepared in2) (ii) above was allowed to overlap the carrier forimmunochromatography prepared in 1) above up to a position 2.5 mm awayfrom one end of the carrier for immunochromatography. Furthermore, acarrier for soaking a liquid sample (filter paper No. 526, manufacturedby Advantec Toyo) was allowed to overlap the antibody fragment-holdingcarrier. In addition, a carrier for an excess sample-soaking portion(filter paper No. 526) was allowed to overlap the carrier forimmunochromatography up to a position 5 mm away from the other end ofthe carrier for immunochromatography. Finally, a tape was attached tothe rear side to stabilize the entirety, whereby a test piece-typeimmunochromatography device was prepared. A test using a standard HELsolution confirmed that an anti-HEL antibody-immobilized portionpresented a red color.

Example 29 Preparation of Electrical Measuring Instrument

An example of a method of detecting a protein using a gold electrode isshown.

1) 2 gold electrodes were placed on a glass substrate. The distancebetween the electrodes was set to 20 μm. 20 μL of a 0.1% poly-L-lysin(Sigma-Aldrich) aqueous solution were dropped onto a space between theelectrodes, and the whole was left standing for 3 hours.

Next, the substrate was washed with water. After that, the substrate waswashed with ethanol 3 times and dried.

2) Next, an anti-HEL polyclonal antibody (ROCKLAND) was immobilized onthe glass substrate obtained in (a) above on the basis of Proteomics, 3,pp 254 (2003).3) The PBST solution of the gold/HEL bispecific antibody fragmentprepared in Example 20 and 20-nm gold nanoparticles (manufactured byTanaka Kikinzoku) were allowed to react with each other (PBST solutionfor comparison).4) The anti-HEL antibody-immobilized substrate obtained in 1) was addedwith a 1 μM HEL/PBS solution.5) Next, the product obtained in 3) was added with the gold-bindingprotein solution obtained in 2).6) The substrate obtained in 4) was washed with a PBS solution 3 times.After that, the substrate was immersed in a silver enhancer solution(Sigma-Chemical) for 5 min, followed by washing with water. A reductionin electrical resistance between the electrodes as compared to that ofonly PBST as a comparative sample was confirmed.

Example 30 Preparation of Vector for Expressing VHg-VHh Protein in Yeast(1) Preparation of NheI-VHh-SacII Fragments

VHh fragments having NheI/SacII at its terminals were prepared by PCR byusing a pHGold prepared in Example 19 as a template.

The following primers were used.

NheI-VHh_f (SEQ ID No: 131) NNNNNGCTAGCCAGGTGCAGTTGGTGGAGTCT VHh-sacII_r(SEQ ID No: 132) NNNNNCCCGCGGATGAGGAGACGGTGACCAGGGTT

The above primers were used to perform PCR of pfu-turbo in accordancewith a method recommended by a supplier. The resultant PCR reactionsolution was subjected to agarose gel (2%) electrophoresis to confirmthat about 350 bp of fragments were obtained.

(2) Preparation of VHg-VHh DNA Fragments

The VHh fragments obtained in (1) above were introduced into a VLhportion of pGHEL prepared in Example 19.

The PCR fragments and pGHEL obtained in (1) were cleaved with NheI/SacII(each manufactured by TAKARA BIO INC.). A restriction enzyme reactionwas performed in accordance with a method recommended by one skilled inthe art. The resultant reaction solutions were subjected to agaroseelectrophoresis, followed by gel purification (PCR fragment: agarose 2%,pGHEL: agarose 1%). The above-described gel purification kit was usedfor the gel purification.

It was confirmed that the PCR fragments obtained after the restrictionenzyme reaction as described above had about 350 bp of PCR fragments and3,000 bp of plasmid fragments, and a novel plasmid were obtainedhereinafter in the same manner as in Example 19.

The base sequence of the resultant plasmids was determined by means of asequencer to confirm that the base sequence was a target base sequence(the plasmid was defined as pHgHh).

(3) Insertion of Yeast Expression Plasmids

PCR was performed in accordance with the same method that recommended bya supplier.

pPCIZαA (Invitrogen) was used as an yeast (Pichia pastris) expressionplasmid. Target gene was introduced by using EcoRI and SacII atmulticloning sites of the plasmid.

The gene to be introduced was prepared by PCR by using pHgHh obtained in(2) as a template.

As a primer,

7s4-fW-EcoRls (SEQ ID No: 133) AAGCTGAATTCCAGGTGCAGTTGGTGGAGTCTHELVH-SacII-r (SEQ ID No: 134) NNNNNCCGCGGAGACGGTGACGAGGGT

The resultant PCR fragments and the pPCIZαA were sequentially cleavedwith EcoRI and SacII, and each target fragment was obtained in the samemanner as that described above through gel purification.

Ligation was performed in accordance with the method described above. Aligation reaction solution was transformed in the same manner as thatdescribed above and inoculated on an agar plate. The agar plate in thiscase was such that tryptophan 10 g/yeast extract 5 g/NaCl 5 g/agar 15g/L were added with Zeocin to have a concentration of 25 μg/L. A colonyselected by this condition was cultured in a liquid medium (tryptophan10 g/yeast extract 5 g/NaCl 15 g, Zeocin 25 μg/L) at 37° C. overnight.After the collection of plasmids, a sequence was confirmed by using asequencer to obtain a plasmid expressing VHg-VHh:VH_gold-linker(GGGGS)-VH_HEL as an object of this example (provided as pPCIZ-αHH).

Example 31 Expression/Purification of VHg-VHh Protein

The expression of VHg-VHh was performed by using an Easy Select PichiaExpression Kit Ver. G (Invitrogen). The preparation of a transformantand the preparation and purification of the protein (metal chelatecolumn) were each performed in accordance with a method recommended byone skilled in the art. 5 mL of a 1 M imidazole eluted fraction obtainedby a metal chelate column were dialyzed by using a Tris buffer (20 mMTris/200 mM NaCl, 1 mM EGTA: pH 7.9) as an external solution at 4° C.The external solution was changed every 6 hours and a total of 3 times.

Subsequently, by using a Sephadex 75 (Amasham Bioscience), purificationbased on gel filtration was performed at 4° C. (buffer condition: 50 mMTris-HCl, 200 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0, flow rate: 0.7 mL/min). Afterthe resultant fraction had been concentrated, the same western Blottingas that described above was performed by using SDS-PAGE (acrylamide17.5%) and HRP-fused anti-His antibody. Thus, a fraction of the targetprotein was specified and purified into a single band. A peak suggestingthat the fraction was a monomer protein of about 25 kDa wasfractionated, followed by the following evaluation (FIG. 19).

Example 32 Evaluation of Binding Affinity for Gold by Means of SPR

The binding affinity of the protein fraction obtained in Example 31 forgold was measured by means of SPR. A BIAcore 2000 (manufactured byBIAcore) was used as an SPR measuring device. A gold-deposited glasssubstrate SIA-kit Au of the same company was used as a gold substrate towhich the fraction was to be bound. Measurement was performed under thefollowing conditions. 500 nM (calculated from the absorbance asdescribed above) of the protein fraction obtained in Example 20 wereused as a sample. The conditions of this example were the same as thoseExample 21. A binding curve showing binding affinity for gold wasobtained (FIG. 20).

Example 33 Preparation of VHg-VHh Protein Variant −1

A QC kit (manufactured by STRATAGENE) was used with the plasmidpPCIZ-α7s4 obtained in Example 30 as a template to obtain a VHg variant(SEQ ID No: 135 or 136) to serve as V37L, G44E, and L45R of thegold-binding VH of Example 30. The following primers were used to obtaina target plasmid through 3 times of operation. Mutation was sequentiallyinserted for each operation into one site.

PCR primer for inserting mutation to a first site

V37F-f (SEQ ID No: 137) TTACTGGATCAACTGGTTCCGCCAGATGCCCGG V37F-r (SEQ IDNo: 138) CCGGGCATCTGGCGGAACCAGTTGATCCAGTAA

PCR Primer for Introducing Mutation to a Second Site

G44E-f (SEQ ID No: 139) CAGATGCCCGGCAAAGAACTGGAATGGATGGGG G44E-r (SEQ IDNo: 140) CCCCATCCATTCCAGTTCTTTGCCGGGCATCTG

PCR Primer for Introducing Mutation to a Third Site

L45F-f (SEQ ID No: 141) GCCCGGCAAAGAAAGGGAATGGATGGGGATG L45F-r (SEQ IDNo: 142) CATCCCCATCCATTCCCTTTCTTTGCCGGGC

Insertion of mutation was confirmed by a sequence. The procedure fromthe transformation to the expression of a protein was the same as thatof Example 31. The following evaluation was performed by using a peak ofa monomer protein of about 25 kDa.

Example 34 Evaluation of Binding Affinity for Gold by Means of SPR

The binding affinity of the protein fraction obtained in Example 33 forgold was measured by means of SPR. A BIAcore 2000 (manufactured byBIAcore) was used as an SPR measuring device. A gold-deposited glasssubstrate SIA-kit Au of the same company was used as a gold substrate towhich the fraction was to be bound. Measurement was performed under thefollowing conditions. 500 nM (calculated from the absorbance asdescribed above) of the protein fraction obtained in Example 33 wereused as a sample. The conditions of this example were the same as thoseExample 21. A binding curve showing binding affinity for gold wasobtained (FIG. 21).

Example 35 Preparation of VHg-HEL scFv Protein Variant

Substitution was performed in such a manner that a protein fused withHEL-binding scFv (SEQ ID No: 143 or 144) instead of HEL-binding VH ofExample 31 was obtained. DNA fragments encoding HEL-binding scFv wasobtained by PCR with a plasmid to which an HEL-binding scFv coding genewas introduced, show in Journal of Biological chemistry, 2003, 279, pp8979, as a template. PCR was performed in accordance with the samemethod as that recommended by one skilled in the art, and the followingprimers were used.

scFv-f (SEQ ID No: 145) NNNNCCATGCCCGATATCGTCCTGACCCAG scFv-r (SEQ IDNo: 146) AGCTACCGCGGAGACGGTGACGAGGGT

The procedure subsequent to a restriction enzyme reaction was the sameas that of Example 30, whereby a target plasmid was obtained.

It was confirmed by using a sequence that the resultant plasmid had atarget gene sequence. The procedure from the transformation to theexpression of a protein was the same as that of Example 31. Thus, amonomer protein of about 39 kDa was obtained.

Example 36 Evaluation of Double-Binding Affinity for Gold and HEL byMeans of SPR

The binding affinity of the protein fraction obtained in Example 35 forgold was measured by means of SPR. A BIAcore 2000 (manufactured byBIAcore) was used as an SPR measuring device. A gold-deposited glasssubstrate SIA-kit Au of the same company was used as a gold substrate towhich the fraction was to be bound. Measurement was performed under thefollowing conditions. 500 nM (calculated from the absorbance asdescribed above) of the protein fraction obtained in Example 31 wereused as a sample. The conditions of this example were the same as thoseExample 21 and 22. A binding curve showing binding affinity for gold wasobtained (FIG. 22).

Example 37 Preparation of Plasmid for Expressing VHg Variant-VLh

A DNA sequence represented by SEQ ID No: 147 and 148 were introducedinto a gold-binding VH code sequence of the plasmid for expression(pGHEL) obtained in Example 19. An insertion method involved the use ofthe Quick Change kit described above (Stratagene) with the pGHEL as atemplate above. It was confirmed that the resultant plasmid had a targetsequence. Next, the resultant plasmid was used to perform the expressionand purification of a protein and the dimerization with VHh-VLg in thesame manner as in Example 20.

A protein fraction having a molecular weight of about 50 kDa wasfractionated by using a Sephadex G75 (FIG. 23).

A14P-f (SEQ ID No: 147) GAGCAGAGGTGAAAAAGCCAGGGGAGTCTCTGAAG A14P-r (SEQID No: 148) CTTCAGAGACTCCCCTGGCTTTTTCACCTCTGCTC

Example 38 Evaluation of Double-Binding Affinity for Gold and HEL byMeans of SPR

The binding affinity of the protein fraction obtained in Example 37 forgold was measured by means of SPR. A BIAcore 2000 (manufactured byBIAcore) was used as an SPR measuring device. A gold-deposited glasssubstrate SIA-kit Au of the same company was used as a gold substrate towhich the fraction was to be bound. Measurement was performed under thefollowing conditions. 500 nM (calculated from the absorbance asdescribed above) of the protein fraction obtained in Example 37 wereused as a sample. The conditions of this example were the same as thoseExample 21. A binding curve showing binding affinity for gold wasobtained (FIG. 24).

Example 39 Preparation of Plasmid Expressing VHg-VLg Tetramer

pPCIZ-αVHg² was prepared in the same manner as in Example 30 except thatVHh of Example 30 was changed to VHg coding gene fragments.

pRA2-7s4 obtained in Example 10 was used as a template for preparing aDNA fragments encoding the VHg to be used in the above operation, andthe following primers

VHg-f (SEQ ID No: 149) NNNNNGCTAGC GGCGGGGGCGGTAGC CAGGTGCAGTTGGTGGAGTCTVHg-r (SEQ ID No: 150) NNNNNCCGCGGATGAGGAGACGGTGACCAGGGTTwere used as primers

It was confirmed by a sequence that a target plasmid was obtained.

Example 40 Preparation of VHg-VLg Protein

A target protein was purified by the same procedure as that of Example31. A protein composed of a dimer of VHg-VHg having a molecular weightof about 25 kDa was purified (FIG. 25).

Example 41 Preparation of Plasmid Expressing VHg-VLg Tetramer

pPCIZ-αVHg⁴ was prepared in the same manner as in Example 30 except thatthe linker GGGGS for linking VHg-VHg of Example 39 was changed to GS.

pRA2-7s4 obtained in Example 10 was used as a template for preparing aDNA fragment encoding the VHg to be used in the above operation, and thefollowing primers

VHg4-f (SEQ ID No: 151) NNNNNGCTAGC GGCAGC CAGGTGCAGTTGGTGGAGTCT VHg4-r(SEQ ID No: 152) NNNNNCCGCGGATGAGGAGACGGTGACCAGGGTTwere used as primers.

It was confirmed by a sequence that a target plasmid was obtained.

Example 42 Gold Fine Particles Aggulutination Reaction

In a 500 μM/PBST solution of each of the proteins obtained in Examples40 and 44, gold fine particles (20 nmφ: manufactured by TanakaKikinzoku) were incubated at room temperature. The agglutination of thegold fine particles was observed regardless of which protein was used.In addition, a spectrum (λmax) of a mixture of gold fine particles/aprotein was observed to change with time, and a half band width wasobserved to expand. A result suggesting that the distance between goldfine particles was shortened was obtained (FIG. 26).

Comparative Example 3

The same operation as example 36 was performed by using 500 nM BSAinstead of 500 nM HEL. Binding to BSA was not confirmed. It was shownthat the protein for gold obtained in example 35 binds to HEL in aspecific manner (FIG. 27).

Comparative Example 4

Binding ability of proteins immobilized directly on gold substrate wasevaluated by anti-HEL antibody (manufactured by Rockland) using SPRmeasurement.

(1) Preparing 10 μM HEL in PBS

(2) Injecting 100 μl of the solution obtained (1) at 1 μl/min. Thesignal of absorbed antibody was 1907 R. U.(3) 1% casein in PBS was injected in the same manner as (2)(4) Further, 40 μl of 1% casein in PBS was injected at 20 μl/ml andconfirm that the gold substrate was blocked.(5) Consequently, injecting 40 μl of 1 μM at 20 μl/min and obtaining theresult shown in FIG. 28.

As the result, the signal of bond HEL molecule was 11 R. U., while thatof antibody immobilized on gold substrate was 1907 R. U. Considering ofconfiguration at immobilization and assuming that a single antibodymolecule captured one antigen on a substrate, the rate of antibodiescaptured target substances was calculated to be about 6%.

In the other hand, it was shown that 20 to 40% of proteins in thepresent invention captured antigens by examples indicated above.Moreover, any special reagents or process was not required for theimmobilization of proteins that are capturing molecules of sensors inthe examples indicated above, implying that the immobilization method ofthe present invention is superior to conventional physical absorption.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides: a gold-binding protein having one ormore binding sites to gold and a binding site to a specific substance; astructure including a gold substrate on which the gold-binding proteinis immobilized; and a detection device using the same.

In a detection device composed of a structure on which a gold-bindingprotein obtained by applying the present invention is immobilized, theprotein is immobilized at a binding site specifically recognizing goldserving as a substrate. Therefore, the binding site of the proteinrecognizing a specific substance (target substance) is not immobilizedon the substrate, and the protein is oriented while a distance from thesubstrate is ensured. As a result, a target substance binding siteminimizes the influence of the substrate on its binding capacity,whereby the protein is immobilized on the substrate with efficiency andhigh orientation.

That is, it is suggested that the present invention can be utilized forimproving the performance of products applying the functions of variousbiological substances which immobilize organic substances such asbiological substances on substrate surfaces to utilize variousphysiological functions of the organic substances, the products beingtypified by a biosensor and a bioreactor.

Meanwhile, the present invention provides a connecting member forlabeling a target substance, including: one or more sites binding to thetarget substance; and one or more sites binding to the labeledsubstance, characterized in that the respective binding sites bind to asubstance to be bound independently from each other. The application ofthe present invention enables a target protein to be labeled without theuse of a conventional chemical crosslinking method. As a result,influences on the binding affinities of various proteins to targetsubstances, the influences being of concern at the time of labeling, canbe minimized, and production efficiency can be increased. That is, thepresent invention can be utilized for improving the performance ofproducts applying the functions of various biological substances, suchas biosensor, which immobilize connecting members on substrate surface,and utilize various physiological functions of the connecting members.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2004-108388 filed Mar. 31, 2004, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

1-35. (canceled)
 36. A protein comprising a first domain and a seconddomain, wherein the first domain comprises an antibody heavy chainvariable region (VH) or an antibody light chain variable region (VL),wherein the antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) or the antibodylight chain variable region (VL) comprises a region specifically bindingto gold at K_(D)=3.0×10⁻⁷ M or less, and wherein the second domaincomprises a region specifically binding to a target substance.
 37. Theprotein according to claim 36, wherein the second domain is an antibodyheavy chain variable region (VH) or an antibody light chain variableregion (VL).
 39. The protein according to claim 36, wherein the seconddomain is an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH), and the proteinfurther comprises a fourth domain which is an antibody light chainvariable region (VL) and forms a complex with the second domain.
 40. Theprotein according to claim 36, wherein the second domain is an antibodylight chain variable region (VL), and the protein further comprises afourth domain which is an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) andforms a complex with the second domain.
 41. The protein according toclaim 36, further comprising a third domain which forms a complex withthe first domain and a fourth domain which forms a complex with thesecond domain, wherein each of the third domain and the fourth domaincomprises an antibody heavy chain variable region (VH) or an antibodylight chain variable region (VL), wherein the antibody heavy chainvariable region (VH) or the antibody light chain variable region (VL) ofthe third domain has a region specifically binding to gold atK_(D)=3.0×10⁻⁷ M or less, and wherein the antibody heavy chain variableregion (VH) or the antibody light chain variable region (VL) of thefourth domain has a region specifically binding to a target substance.